The figure shows the optimal mRNA secondary structure of the RET haplotypes.

<p>A) Total mRNA secondary structure of the <i>RET</i> wild-type (WT) haplotype. B) Part of mRNA secondary structure of the <i>RET</i> WT haplotype. C) Part of mRNA secondary structure of the <i>RET</i> S836S haplotype (</p><p>T<u>T</u>CGT</p>). D) Part of mRNA secondary structure of the <i>RET</i> 3’UTR haplotype (<p><u>GT</u>C<u>AC</u></p>). Haplotypes generated by RNAfold program (Vienna Package).<p></p

Kaplan–Meier estimates the proportion of sporadic MTC patients with lymph node (A; n = 131; P = 0.011) or distant metastasis (B; n = 116; P<0.001).

<p>The log rank test was used to compare curves.</p

<i>RET</i> minor allele frequency polymorphisms in medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.

<p><i>RET</i> minor allele frequency polymorphisms in medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.</p

The clinical and oncological features of medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.

<p>The clinical and oncological features of medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.</p

The minimal free energy (MFE, kcal/mol) and number of double helices (<i>N</i>_<i>DH</i>) were available in both, optimal and suboptimal structures.

<p>For suboptimal structures MFE and NDH are averages over 2900 samples. The variant fragment carrying the S836S and 3’UTR variants (</p><p><u>GT</u>C<u>AC</u></p> haplotype) presented greater <i>N</i>_<i>DH</i> (B,D) and lower levels of MFE (A,C) when compared to wild-type haplotype (WT, TCCGT), this fact happens in both, optimal and suboptimal structures. *These analysis included only synonymous polymorphisms.<p></p

Haplotypes inferred by the Phase Program.

<p>Haplotypes inferred by the Phase Program.</p

Immunostaining of the RET proto-oncogene in GTCAC haplotype carriers & non-carriers.

<p>A) Two representative slices of RET Immunostaining in a sample carrier S836S/3’UTR (</p><p><u>GT</u>C<u>AC</u></p> haplotype) (left) and non-carrier of this haplotype (right). B) Intensity of RET Immunostaining in samples with or without S836S/3’UTR (<p><u>GT</u>C<u>AC</u></p> haplotype), P = 0.054.<p></p