title: Mutation of DNA polymerase beta in esophageal carcinoma of different regions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the variation of DNA polymerase beta (polbeta) in esophageal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty specimens containing adjacent normal epithelial tissues were collected from patients in Linzhou region (a high risk area for esophageal squamous carcinoma) and 25 specimens were from a non-high risk area. Total RNA was extracted from the samples and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed. PCR products were cloned and sequenced to investigate the polbeta gene with DNASIS and OMIGA. Statistical significance was evaluated using the chi(2) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-incidence area group: polbeta gene variation was detected in 13 of 30 esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens, and only one variation was found in 30 corresponding adjacent normal tissue specimens. Non high-incidence area group: polbeta gene variation was detected in 5 of 25 esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens, and no variation was found in 25 corresponding adjacent normal tissue specimens. The incidence of polbeta gene variation observed in the high-incidence area group was significantly higher than in the non-high incidence area group. Two mutation hot spots (454-466 and 648-670 nt) and a 58 bp deletion (177-234 nt) were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variations of polbeta perform different functions between the high-incidence areas and the other areas, and may play a more important role in the high-incidence areas.
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province, China. zhaogq@zzu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Guo-Qiang
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Zi-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta