[Functional Bax polymorphism associated with lung cancer susceptibility].
OBJECTIVE
The Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), belonging to the Bcl-2 family, plays a pivotal role in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The aims of this study are to revalidate the functional significance of Bax G(-248)A polymorphism, and investigate its association with lung cancer risk in Chinese population.


METHODS
The biological function of Bax G(-248)A was tested by luciferase assays, and its effects on lung cancer risk was determined by case-control analysis of 989 patients with lung cancer and 990 controls.


RESULTS
Bax -248A allele exhibited significantly higher transcriptional activity compared with G allele. The Bax-248A allele carriers yielded a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer, compared with -248G allele carriers (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48 approximately 0.90, P = 0.01). Furthermore, a significant gene-smoking interaction between Bax G(-248)A polymorphism and smoking existed among the light smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Bax G(-248)A polymorphism is associated with lung cancer susceptibility in Chinese population.
Yu
Dian-ke
DK
Departments of Etiology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Guo
Yong-li
YL
Tan
Wen
W
Lin
Dong-xin
DX
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein