Association of Short Tandem Repeat Polymorphism in the Promoter of Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 Gene with the Risk of Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: PCA3 (prostate cancer antigen 3) gene is one of the most prostate cancer-specific genes at present. Consequently, the prostate-specific expression and the sharp up-regulation of PCA3 mRNA in prostate cancer suggest a unique transcriptional regulation, which possibly can be attributed to promoter polymorphism. In our study, we evaluated whether there is polymorphism in PCA3 promoter region and also assess the association of the polymorphism with prostate cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We designed a specific primer set to screen the promoter of PCA3 gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cloning and sequencing with the DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples of prostate cancer (PCa) cases (n = 186) and healthy control cases (n = 135). Genotype-specific risks were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by chi-square test. Possible deviation of the genotype frequencies from controls and PCa cases expected under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was assessed by the chi-square test. Short tandem repeat polymorphism of TAAA was found in the promoter region of PCA3 gene, five polymorphisms and eight genotypes were identified. The eight genotypes were divided into three groups: ≤10TAAA, 11TAAA, ≥12TAAA. The group 11TAAA and ≥12TAAA were associated with higher relative risk for prostate cancer than group ≤10TAAA (OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.07-2.89[for group 11TAAA]; OR = 5.28, 95%CI = 1.76-15.89[for group ≥12TAAA]). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of the (TAAA)n short tandem repeat polymorphisms in the PCA3 promoter region may be a risk factor for prostate cancer in the Chinese population

Risk due to Elevated Uric Acid Levels in Children With Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Purpose: To compare uric acid levels in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP)without nephritis and with renal damage, and at different pathological grades. Methods: A total of 451 children were enrolled in this study, including 64 with HSP without nephritis and 387 HSP with kidney damage. Age, gender, uric acid, urea, creatinine and cystatin C levels were reviewed. Pathological findings of those with renal impairment were also reviewed. Results: Among the HSP children with renal damage, 44 were grade I, 167 were grade II and 176 were grade III. There were significant differences in age, uric acid, urea, creatinine and cystatin C levels between the two groups (p<0.05, all). Correlation analysis showed that uric acid levels in children with HSP without nephritis were positively correlated with urea and creatinine levels (p<0.05). Uric acid levels in HSP children with renal damage was positively correlated with age, urea, creatinine and cystatin C levels (p<0.05, all). Regression analysis found that, without adding any correction factors, there were significant differences in uric acid levels between the two groups; however, after adjusting for pathological grade, there was no longer a significant difference. Conclusions: There were significant differences of uric acid levels in children with HSP without nephritis and with renal impairment. Uric acid levels in the renal impairment group were significantly higher than that in the HSP without nephritis group. Uric acid levels were related to only the presence or absence of renal damage, not to the pathological grade

Association between <i>PCA3</i> promoter STR polymorphisms and prostate carcinoma risk.

a<p>10, 11, 12 and 13 correspond to the total number of <i>TAAA</i> repeat in one allele.</p>b<p>10<i>TAAA</i> group includes the 9<i>TAAA</i> group.</p>c<p>4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 correspond to the number of <i>TAAA</i> repeat.</p

Clinical characteristics.

a<p>Independent-Samples T Test between cases and controls, t = 1.20, P = 0.23.</p

Association between <i>PCA3</i> promoter STR polymorphism and Gleason score in prostate carcinoma.

e<p>Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.</p

Repressentative PCR -based cloning and sequencing of STR polymorphism in the promoter region of <i>PCA3</i> gene.

<p><b>A</b>. (<i>TAAA</i>)₄ alleles; <b>B</b>. (<i>TAAA</i>)₅ alleles; <b>C</b>. (<i>TAAA</i>)₆ alleles; <b>D</b>. (<i>TAAA</i>)₇ alleles; <b>E</b>. (<i>TAAA</i>)₈ alleles.</p