Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs17548629 in RIPK1 gene may be associated with lung cancer in a young and middle-aged Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND: Genetic biomarkers of lung cancer (LC) susceptibility may provide a basis for treatment and prevention. This study analyzed an association between SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the complementary region of the 3′-UTR (3′ untranslated region) of microRNAs of the gene RIPK1 (receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1) and LC among an adult Han Chinese population aged younger than 60 years. Also explored the effect of regulation of the RIPK1 gene via rs17548629 and microRNA-1197 on the occurrence of LC. METHODS: RIPK1 variants (rs17548629, rs77736895) were determined in a population of 571 adults (younger than 60 years) with LC, and 609 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals. Bioinformatics methods predicted the microRNAs bound to rs17548629. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the presence of both rs17548629 and the predicted microRNA. RESULTS: A mutation (T) of rs17548629 was associated with an increased risk for LC in this population under the codominant and recessive genetic models. The risk of lung adenocarcinoma in rs17548629 mutant carriers was 1.769-fold higher than that of the wildtype. In vitro, the luciferase activity of co-transfected mutant psiCHECK2-RIPK1 and microRNA-1197 mimics was less than that of the group transfected with microRNA-1197 mimics only. Factorial analysis indicated interactions between microRNA-1197 mimics and genotypes of rs17548629. CONCLUSION: A mutation (T) of rs17548629 may increase the risk of LC/lung adenocarcinoma in adult Han populations younger than 60 years. When carrying the T allele, rs17548629 may be the target of hsa-miR-1197. This mutation may affect transcriptional level of the RIPK1, thereby promoting the occurrence of LC.