Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Genotypes in Breast Cancer Cases from Pakistan
Download
Abstract
Background: Breast carcinoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed invasive malignancies in females. In Pakistan, it is more commonly detected in women at a young age as compared to the West. Among all women, the risk of developing breast cancer is equal irrespective of their ethnic or racial basis. The aim of the study was to determine vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (FokI and TaqI) and allele frequency distribution in Pakistani women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. This study also aimed to find and compare genetic diversity of VDR polymorphisms among breast cancer cases in different population groups.
Methods: Newly diagnosed women having breast cancer (n=300) were selected for the study. Blood samples of all the participants were analyzed for vitamin D levels and isolated DNA was subjected to PCR-RFLP analysis.
Results: Results revealed that allelic frequency of FokI and TaqI was ‘F’; ‘f’ 50.67 and 49.33% and ‘T’ and ‘t’ was 46.67 and 53.33 respectively in Pakistani women with breast cancer. The genotypic frequency is significantly (P<0.05) distributed.
Conclusion: The current study concluded significant difference in genotypes and allele frequency of VDR gene polymorphism in Pakistani population suffering from breast cancer when compared with other population.
Introduction
Breast carcinoma is one of the major invasive malignancies and is listed to be the second globally fatal cancer of women [1]. It is most common in females at a young age in Pakistan as compared to the West where it is most common after the age of 60 years. All women regardless of their ethnic or racial origin or heritage are at risk of developing breast cancer. Different factors contributes in the development of breast cancer such as reproductive experience, genetics and environment, the change in immune status, the effect of endogenous and exogenous hormones in females, host susceptibility and the breast carcinoma’s biologic determinants [2]. In Pakistan, almost one in every nine females experience breast cancer and it becomes a maximum rate of occurrence in Asia [3]. Frequency of breast cancer in Pakistani females is 50/100,000. In India, with similar socio-cultural conditions it is 19/100,000. In Pakistan, increase rate of breast cancer development has been seen in premenopausal females and the risk is plateaus after the age of 45 years [3]. Epidemiological evidence suggests that deficiency of vitamin D may be directly associated with incidence of breast cancer [4]. Vitamin D binds to its receptor (VDR) which is present in all body organs and tissues [5]. Our previous study also showed vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed breast cancer females [6]. The size of VDR gene is 5.6 kb and is located on chromosome 12 (12q12-14) [7]. The occurrence of genetic polymorphisms in VDR gene has been reported previously and more than 470 Vitamin D receptor SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) have been identified. The two most common previously reported VDR gene’s SNPs in Caucasian subjects are rs731236 (TaqI) and rs2228570 (FokI) [8]. These two restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the VDR gene were identified by using FokI and TaqI restriction enzymes. The TaqI RFLP is located in exon 9 and have unknown function, while the FokI RFLP is located on the 2nd exon and caused by nucleotide substitution from T to C [9]. Previous studies indicated that the presence of ff genotype was associated with 34% higher breast cancer risk in the nurses’ health study and was found to be significant when analyzed statistically [10]. Earlier studies based on smaller number of subjects, investigating association of FokI with breast cancer risk were found null [11, 12].
Almost 200 polymorphisms have been previously described in VDR, and among them Fok1, Cdx2, EcoRV, Taq1, Apa1, and Bsm1 have been found to be more frequently associated with tumorigenesis, though there are minor controversies still present in this data [13]. The most frequently reported SNP sites were the polymorphism in start codon of FokI and 8th intron of Bsm I among Western and Asian populations. A limited data is available in Pakistan regarding allele frequency distribution and genotype of VDR gene polymorphism in women with breast cancer. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to investigate the distribution of VDR gene polymorphism (FokI, TaqI) in Pakistani women with breast cancer by using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based restriction analysis and to compare genotype frequency with different populations suffering from breast cancer.
Materials and Methods
Three hundred newly diagnosed breast cancer females visiting Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) from different areas of province Punjab, Pakistan have been included in this study. Age of patients was between 19-75 years. A consent (in writing) was taken from each female participating the study. The study approval was obtained from the scientific research review and ethical committee of the institution. The committee approved the study protocol including biochemical estimations, and VDR gene SNP analysis in the study participants. Five ml of blood samples were collected by venipuncture for biochemical estimations and isolation of DNA.
DNA extraction
The genomic DNA was isolated from blood of patients using DNA extraction kit, (Vivantis GF-1, Germany). The absorbance (OD) at 260/280 nm was measured for the determination of concentration and purity of extracted DNA. DNA samples were stored at -20 oC for further analysis.
VDR Genotyping
PCR amplification of VDR gene was done using primer sequences published previously [14, 15] in 25μl reaction mixtures containing 25ng of genomic DNA and 5pmol each primers for FokI/Taq1 polymorphism in (thermal cycler (Mastercycler gradient, Germany). The PCR conditions (Fok1) were initial denaturation at 94 oC for 5 minutes, followed by 35 cycles at 94 oC for 30 seconds, 58 oC for 30 seconds and 72 oC for 1 minute and one final cycle of extension at 72 oC for 7 minutes [14]. The conditions for PCR amplifications (Taq1) was initial denaturation at 94 oC for 3 minutes followed by 35 cycles at 94 oC for 30 seconds, 62.8 oC for 35 seconds,
72 oC for 45 seconds and final extension at 72 oC for 10 minutes [15]. The amplified PCR product (265bp/465bp) was digested with 1.0 unit of FokI/Taq1 restriction enzyme (Thermo Scientific, Fast Digest enzyme) at 37 oC for 5 minutes. The 10μl reaction mixture after digestion was run on agarose gel (2%) containing ethidium bromide. Genotypes were assigned on the basis of digested product length as: FF homozygous for the absence of the FokI restriction site with an undigested band of 265 bp; ff homozygous for the presence of the FokI restriction site with complete digestion resulting in 196bp and 69bp bands and Ff heterozygous with all three bands (265 bp, 196bp and 69bp). TaqI restriction site as TT homozygous for the absence of TaqI site with an intact 454 bp band, Tt heterozygous with three bands (454bp, 293bp and 161bp) and tt homozygous with 2 bands of 293bp and 161bp.
Statistical Analysis
Genotype and allelic frequencies of the VDR gene polymorphisms (FokI and TaqI) in breast cancer patients was determined by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. P value <0.05 was considered significant for the data (level of significance was kept 5%).
Results
The present study was conducted on 300 newly diagnosed breast cancer women. Among these females, 55% were premenopausal (n=164) and 45% were postmenopausal (n=136). The mean ± SD age and BMI of breast cancer women was 44.0±10.9years and 25.6±4.5 kg/m2 respectively. The data showing frequency of clinical features in studied patients was shown (Table 1).
| Genotype frequency for FokI SNP | Genotype frequency (N) for TaqI SNP | ||||||
| Features | Number of cases | FF (%) | Ff (%) | ff (%) | TT (%) | Tt (%) | tt (%) |
| N=137 | N=30 | N=133 | N=60 | N=80 | N=160 | ||
| Menopausal status | |||||||
| Pre | 166 | 80 (58) | 17 (57) | 69 (52) | 45 (75) | 34 (42) | 87 (54) |
| Post | 134 | 57 (42) | 13 (43) | 64 (48) | 15 (25) | 46 (58) | 73 (46) |
| P-value | 0.554* | 0.001* | |||||
| Tumor Type | |||||||
| IDC | 264 | 119 (87) | 22 (73) | 123 (93) | 49 (67) | 70 (88) | 145 (91) |
| ILC | 36 | 18 (13) | 8 (27) | 10 (7) | 11 (33) | 10 (12) | 15 (9) |
| P-value | 0.012* | 0.188* | |||||
| Tumor grade | |||||||
| I | 40 | 11 (8) | 11 (37) | 18 (14) | 12 (20) | 10 (12) | 18 (11) |
| II | 142 | 55 (40) | 1 (3) | 86 (65) | 18 (30) | 30 (38) | 94 (59) |
| III | 92 | 61 (45) | 4 (13) | 27 (20) | 17 (28) | 35 (44) | 40 (25) |
| IV | 26 | 10 (7) | 14 (47) | 2 (1) | 13 (22) | 5 (6) | 8 (5) |
| P-value | <0.001* | <0.001* | |||||
| ER/PR | |||||||
| +/+ | 98 | 61 (37) | 13 (44) | 24 (18) | 50 (83) | 18 (22) | 30 (19) |
| -/- | 106 | 2 (1) | 10 (33) | 94 (71) | 1 (2 ) | 23 (29) | 82 (51) |
| +/- | 64 | 60 (37) | 1 (3) | 3 (2) | 4 (7) | 30 (38) | 30 (19) |
| -/+ | 32 | 14 (25) | 6 (20) | 12 (9) | 5 (8) | 9 (11) | 18 (11) |
| P-value | <0.001* | <0.001* | |||||
| Her-2 | |||||||
| +ve | 140 | 74 (54) | 20 (67) | 46 (35) | 22 (37) | 39 (49) | 79 (49) |
| ve | 160 | 63 (46) | 10 (33) | 87 (65) | 38 (63) | 41 (51) | 81 (51) |
| P-value | <0.001* | 0.221* |
*Chi2 test
Genotype analysis of FokI and TaqI SNPs was completed by PCR based restriction analysis. The bands on the 2% agarose gel showed undigested (FF), digested (ff) and heterozygotes (F/f) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. PCR-RFLP of VDR Gene Showing Restriction Sites of Taq1 and Fok1 SNPs.
The VDR gene sequence of amplified product for FokI polymorphism was submitted in GenBank with accession no. MH064431. The clinical features and genotypic frequency distribution of VDR gene polymorphisms (FokI, TaqI) SNPs with respect to menopausal status, tumor type, grade and hormonal status was shown in Table 1. The TaqI genotypic frequency distribution was found statistically significant for menopausal status, tumor grade (p <0.05) (Table 1) whereas FokI genotypic frequency distribution vary significantly (p<0.05) for tumor type, tumor grade and ER/PR/Her2 status (Table 1).
Distribution of VDR Genotypes
The frequencies (%) of alleles and genotypes TaqI (rs731236) and FokI (rs2228570) SNPs in Pakistani women with breast cancer were shown (Table 2).
| Genotypes n=300 (%) | Allelic frequencies (%) | ||||
| FF | Ff | ff | F | f | p-value |
| 137 (46) | 30 (10) | 133 (44) | 50.67 | 49.33 | <0.0001 |
| TT | Tt | tt | T | t | |
| 60 (20) | 160 (53) | 80 (27) | 46.67 | 53.33 | <0.0001 |
The allelic frequencies of ‘F’ vs ‘f’ and ‘T’ vs ‘t’ were 50.67 vs 49.33% and 46.67vs 53.33% respectively in Pakistani population. Out of 300 breast cancer patients analyzed, a significant allele and genotype distribution frequency of VDR polymorphisms for TaqI rs (731236) and FokI rs (2228570), was observed in this study (p<0.00001). A significant difference in genotype frequency of these SNPs in breast cancer patients was observed on comparison with other reported populations (Table 3). The minor allele ‘f’ of FokI was highly prevalent in our patients as compared to patients of European and Asian origin (Table 3).
| FokI gene polymorphism | ||||||
| Population | Sample size | FF (%) | Ff (%) | ff (%) | X2 | p |
| Uk-Caucasian [11] | 181 | 39.8 | 44.8 | 15.5 | 0.43 | 0.511 |
| German [17] | 1390 | 40.7 | 43.6 | 15.7 | 6.762 | 0.009 |
| French-Canadian [19] | 859 | 33.8 | 47.8 | 18.4 | 0.3412 | 0.559 |
| Iranian [20] | 95 | 16.8 | 8.4 | 74.7 | 90.07 | <0.00001 |
| Present study | 300 | 46 | 10 | 44 | 191.98 | <0.00001 |
| TaqI gene polymorphism | ||||||
| Population | Sample size | TT (%) | Tt (%) | tt (%) | X2 | P |
| Turkish [21] | 78 | 33.3 | 56.4 | 10.3 | 2.865 | 0.09 |
| German [17] | 1403 | 35.4 | 47.6 | 17 | 0.354 | 0.551 |
| Jordanian [22] | 122 | 41 | 45.9 | 13.1 | 0.0027 | 0.958 |
| Present study | 300 | 20 | 53 | 27 | 48 | <0.00001 |
Discussion
In numerous studies, VDR polymorphism have been reported by using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assay to conclude ethnic differences [16]. These ethnic differences arise from the genotypes and alleles frequency variations. In this study, the genotypes and allele frequency of VDR (Fok-1 and Taq-I) were reported in Pakistani population suffering from breast cancer and compared with those reported in different studies worldwide as shown previously [17, 11]. The genotype frequency of VDR gene polymorphisms in Pakistani healthy women population has been reported [18] but still no data is available regarding distribution of these SNPs in Pakistani women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. The study presented here is the first report to describe the receptor gene polymorphisms (FokI, TaqI) of vitamin D in newly diagnosed breast cancer women. In our study, correlation between FokI and TaqI genotypes frequencies with different clinicopathological features was also studied. The distribution of FokI genotypic frequency was found to be nonsignificant (p=0.554) for menopausal status and tumor type. However, for TaqI SNP it was significantly different (p=0.001) between pre and post menopausal groups (Table 1). Both FokI and TaqI genotypic frequency distribution vary significantly (P=<0.001) among women with different tumor grade and ER/PR/Her2 status except for Taq1 where it was found nonsignificant for Her2 status (p=0.221). Significant differences between Fok-I genotypes frequencies regarding family history of BC, type and grade of tumor was reported in other studies whereas no significant differences were found with respect to age, menopausal status, ER/PR status and Her-2 status in the same study .
The genotype frequency was compared with different studies reported worldwide (Table 3). The allelic frequency (Table 2) of ‘F’; ‘f’ was 50.67 and 49.33% and ‘T’ and ‘t’ was 46.67 and 53.33% (p= <0.00001) respectively in this study. Our results revealed a significant difference in genotype and allele frequency of VDR gene polymorphisms (FokI and TaqI) in Pakistani women with breast cancer. The study also revealed that the genotype distribution of the Fok-1 (rs2228570) in the Pakistani population is significantly different as compared to the Caucasians and European populations [11]. In an Asian population of Iranian women, suffering from breast cancer, similar significant genotype distribution of Fok-I polymorphism F=14.7 and f=85% was found [19]. Likewise, Taq (rs731236) allele and genotype frequencies in Pakistanis were significantly different from other Asian populations (Table 3). These differences in genotype frequencies highlights the role of ethnicity according to the geographic distributions as reported earlier. It has also been reported that the frequency of minor allele of FokI (rs2228570) was considerably lower in Africans compared to Asians or Caucasians.
The “ff genotype” frequency has been previously reported as 4% in African Americans and approximately 13-18 percent among Asians and Caucasians [20] whereas in Asians the minor allele of TaqI rs731236 was found to be present in much lower frequency than in Caucasians and Africans [16]. Although VDR polymorphisms may influence disease risk, such genetic factors cannot be dissociated from environmental influences that may be potential influential factor of such genetic variations [16]. In conclusion, the present study concluded that Pakistani females with breast cancer were relatively younger as compared to other reports with median age of 44 years. The common clinical features in our patients with breast cancer include invasive ductal carcinoma, grade II tumor and negative hormonal status (ER/PR, Her2). Significant difference in genotypes and allele frequency of VDR gene polymorphism in Pakistani females with breast cancer (taken as an independent ethnic group) was observed when compared with other populations in terms of ethnic groups. These results showed the impact of ethnicity on VDR polymorphism distribution in our patients as well as other ethnicities which were categorized into American, African, Asian and Caucasian. Moreover, possible role of ethnic as well as geographic differences in genetic profile variation together with other factors such as living environment, dietary habits and lifestyle needs to be considered as well. Allelic association studies are underway to understand the relationship between the VDR gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk and whether these SNPs can be used as predictive markers of genetic susceptibility in our population.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Director, INMOL for permission to use technical facilities and collection of patient data.
Funding Sources
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for- profit sectors.
Author Disclosures
The authors declare no conflict of interest .
References
- Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis Lu Demin, Jing Lei, Zhang Suzhan. Medicine.2016;95(18). CrossRef
- Immunohistochemical expression and mutation study of Prohibitin gene in Indian female breast cancer cases Najm Mohammad Zeeshan, Zaidi Shuaib, Siddiqui Waseem Ahmad, Husain Syed Akhtar. Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England).2013;30(3). CrossRef
- Breast cancer Rasheed Rashid. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan: JCPSP.2013;23(10). CrossRef
- Plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations, vitamin D receptor genotype and breast cancer risk in a UK Caucasian population Lowe Lorraine C., Guy Michelle, Mansi Janine L., Peckitt Clare, Bliss Judith, Wilson Rosalind Given, Colston Kay W.. European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England: 1990).2005;41(8). CrossRef
- Perspectives on mechanisms of gene regulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its receptor Pike J. Wesley, Meyer Mark B., Watanuki Makoto, Kim Sungtae, Zella Lee A., Fretz Jackie A., Yamazaki Miwa, Shevde Nirupama K.. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.2007;103(3-5). CrossRef
- Serum Vitamin D in Women with Pre and Post Menopausal Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer in Pakistan Younus Amna, Faiz Mariam, Yasmeen Abida. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research.2016;4(12). CrossRef
- Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in breast and renal cancer: current state and future approaches (review) Khan Mohammed I., Bielecka Zofia F., Najm Mohammad Z., Bartnik Ewa, Czarnecki Jerzy S., Czarnecka Anna M., Szczylik Cezary. International Journal of Oncology.2014;44(2). CrossRef
- Vitamin D and cancer: current dilemmas and future research needs Davis Cindy D.. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.2008;88(2). CrossRef
- Frequency of fokI and taqI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene in Indian population and its association with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels Bhanushali Aparna A., Lajpal Namrata, Kulkarni Smita S., Chavan Sandeep S., Bagadi Sarita S., Das Bibhu R.. Indian Journal of Human Genetics.2009;15(3). CrossRef
- Associations between polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and breast cancer risk Chen Wendy Y., Bertone-Johnson Elizabeth R., Hunter David J., Willett Walter C., Hankinson Susan E.. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention: A Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology.2005;14(10). CrossRef
- Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer risk in a UK Caucasian population Bretherton-Watt D., Given-Wilson R., Mansi J. L., Thomas V., Carter N., Colston K. W.. British Journal of Cancer.2001;85(2). CrossRef
- Vitamin D receptor genotype and breast cancer in Latinas (United States) Ingles S. A., Garcia D. G., Wang W., Nieters A., Henderson B. E., Kolonel L. N., Haile R. W., Coetzee G. A.. Cancer causes & control: CCC.2000;11(1). CrossRef
- The relevance of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms for cancer: a review of the literature Köstner K, Denzer N, Mueller CS, Klein R, Tilgen W, Reichrath . Anticancer Research.2009;29:3511-3536.
- The vitamin D receptor start codon polymorphism (FokI) and bone mineral density in premenopausal American black and white women Harris S. S., Eccleshall T. R., Gross C., Dawson-Hughes B., Feldman D.. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research: The Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.1997;12(7). CrossRef
- The contribution of vitamin D receptor gene alleles to the determination of bone mineral density in normal and osteoporotic women Bl Riggs, Tv Nguyen, Lj Melton, Na Morrison, Wm O'Fallon, Pj Kelly, Ks Egan, Pn Sambrook, Jm Muhs, Ja Eisman. Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.1995;10(6). CrossRef
- Association study on two vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and vitamin D metabolites in multiple sclerosis Smolders Joost, Damoiseaux Jan, Menheere Paul, Tervaert Jan Willem Cohen, Hupperts Raymond. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.2009;1173. CrossRef
- Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and haplotypes and postmenopausal breast cancer risk Abbas Sascha, Nieters Alexandra, Linseisen Jakob, Slanger Tracy, Kropp Silke, Mutschelknauss Elke Jonny, Flesch-Janys Dieter, Chang-Claude Jenny. Breast Cancer Research.2008;10(2). CrossRef
- Association of Vitamin D Receptor FokI and TaqI Gene Polymorphisms in Pakistani Women with 25(OH)D Levels Younus A, Faiz M, Yasmeen A. ResearchGate.. CrossRef
- Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI) and breast cancer risk: association replication in two case–control studies within French Canadian population Sinotte M, Rousseau R, Ayotte P, et al . Endocr -Relat Cancer.2008;15:975-983.
- FokI and BsmI Polymorphisms of the VDR Gene and Breast Cancer Risk Talaneh S, Ghorbani A, Bakhshaiesh T, Jafari B. MCI.2017;1:21-25.
- Lack of correlation between start codon polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and bone mineral density in premenopausal French women: the OFELY study Eccleshall T. R., Garnero P., Gross C., Delmas P. D., Feldman D.. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research: The Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.1998;13(1). CrossRef
- Association between Serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D Concentration and TaqI Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism among Jordanian Females with Breast Cancer Atoum Manar Fayiz, Al-Khatib Yasmeen Mohammad. Chinese Medical Journal.2017;130(9). CrossRef
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright
© Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology , 2021
Author Details