title: High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNA target sites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The function of microRNAs (miRNAs) depends on the binding of miRNAs to their target sequences in the 3'UTR of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which enhances the degradation of mRNAs and consequently, represses their expression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the miRNA target sequences may affect or impair the binding of miRNAs. Studies have shown that SNPs in miRNA target sites (miR-TS-SNPs) have a great influence on diverse biological functions, including pharmacogenomics and disease susceptibilities in human.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was applied for investigating the allele frequencies of 3 miR-TS-SNPs (PLA2G2A, IL-16, and NOD2) in acute leukemia. We also compared the genotypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients at initial diagnosis and complete remission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRM analysis revealed 3 genotypes (both homozygous and heterozygous) in the 3 miR-TS-SNPs. The allele frequencies of all 3 miR-TS-SNPs were similar in normal individuals and patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Most patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had the same genotypes at initial diagnosis and complete remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large scale scanning of case-control studies for miR-TS-SNPs may contribute to the investigation of their roles and pathogenesis mechanisms in human diseases. Our study showed that HRM analysis can be an efficient tool for studies of miR-TS-SNPs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Chin
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ta-Chih
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yung-Hsiu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jan-Gowth
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs