Pathogenic nsSNPs of protein kinase C-eta with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health concern. Due to late diagnosis and limited therapeutic strategies, HCC based mortality rate is exponentially increasing globally. Genetic predisposition is a non-avoidable intrinsic factor that could alter the genome sequence, ultimately leading to HCC. Protein kinase C eta (PKCη) is involved in key physiological roles, hence alteration in PKCη could aid in cancer progression. Research indicates association between non-synonymous (ns) SNPs and HCC onset. However, effect of nsSNP variants of PKCη on HCC development has not been explored yet. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between pathogenic nsSNPs of PKCη with HCC.

Methods: Non-synonymous (missense) variants of PKCη were obtained from Ensembl genome browser. These variants were filtered out to obtain pathogenic nsSNPs of PKCη. Genotyping of nsSNPs was done through Tetra ARMS PCR. For that, blood samples of 348 HCC patients and 337 controls were collected. The clinical factors that influence HCC were studied. Relative risk (RR) and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval was calculated by Chi-square test and P-value < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results: Five nsSNP variants of PKCη including rs1162102190 (T/C), rs868127012 (G/T), rs750830348 (G/T), rs768619375 (T/C), and rs752329416 (T/C) were identified. The retrieved nsSNPs were frequently identified in HCC patients. However, rs752329416 T/C was significantly prevalent in patients having HCC family history. Moreover, all the variants were found in HCC patients manifesting the stage II than the advance stages of HCC.

Conclusion: This study can be utilized to identify potential genetic markers for early screening of HCC. Moreover, consideration of further clinical factors, and mechanistic approach would enhance the understanding that how alteration in nsSNPs could impact the HCC onset.