Association between a microRNA-214 binding site polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and play an important role in the development and progression of various diseases including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we determined whether a polymorphism at the miR-214 binding site in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) is associated with susceptibility to ESCC. A total of 448 ESCC cases and 460 gender- and age-matched subjects were recruited for the study. The genotypes of the rs114673809 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were determined by polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Associations between genotypes of MTHFR rs114673809 and ESCC risk were determined using logistic regression analyses. In the recessive model, when the MTHFR rs114673809 GG homozygote genotype was used as the reference group, the GA genotype was not associated with the risk of ESCC (GA vs GG: OR = 1.261, 95%CI = 0.960-1.657, P = 0.110), but the AA genotype was associated with increased risk of ECSS (AA vs GG: OR = 1.752, 95%CI = 1.076-2.853, P = 0.027). Additionally, the rs114673809 A allele carriers also showed a 1.286-fold increased ESCC risk compared with those carrying the rs114673809 G allele genotype. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in plasma homocysteine levels in ESCC cases carrying the AA genotype relative to ESCC cases carrying the GG genotype. Our data demonstrate that a polymorphism at the miR-214 binding site in the 3'-UTR of MTHFR is an ESCC susceptibility SNP in the Chinese population.