Low ZCCHC9 Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood May Be an Acute Myocardial Infarction Genetic Molecular Marker in Patients with Stable Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease

PURPOSE: ZCCHC9 is a zinc finger protein with a CCHC zinc finger structure and has important roles in several cellular processes. This study was conducted on an expanded number of samples to evaluate The usefulness of ZCCHC9 gene expression in peripheral blood as a molecular marker for the prediction of AMI (acute myocardial infarction) risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 117 patients with stable CAD (coronary atherosclerotic disease) and 126 patients with AMI. The mRNA level of the ZCCHC9 gene was assessed by qRT-PCR, and its protein level was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The AMI group exhibited reduced expression of the ZCCHC9 gene, at both transcript and protein levels, than the stable CAD group. The low expression of the ZCCHC9 gene was not related to blood glucose level (P=0.635), blood lipid level, and troponin level (P=0.715), and may cause AMI through the MAPK signaling pathway. Compared with other patients, patients with low ZCCHC9 gene expression in their peripheral blood have a 2.597-fold higher risk of AMI. CONCLUSION: ZCCHC9 gene expression in peripheral blood was significantly lower in patients with AMI than in stable CAD patients. Individuals with low expression of ZCCHC9 in peripheral blood have higher a probability to develop AMI than those with stable CAD. Thus, lowered ZCCHC9 gene expression can act as an independent risk factor for AMI.