Objective: To investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the redox domain of aprimidinic/apurinic endonuclease/redox factor-1(APEX) gene and the development of sporadic colorectal cancer.
Methods: One hundred and fifty cases of sporadic colorectal cancers and 143 peripheral blood samples from healthy population were screened for genetic polymorphisms or mutations in the redox domain by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by DNA sequencing.
Results: There were two SNPs identified in the redox domain of APEX gene, namely, 453G to T and 1247A to G. The gene frequencies of 453T and 1247G were 1.3% and 5.7%, respectively, in patient group, while 1.05% and 4.55%, respectively, in healthy population. The genotype distribution at the two sites in healthy population was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no difference in gene frequencies at the two sites between cancer patients and healthy population.
Conclusion: The polymorphisms in the redox domain of APEX gene are irrelevant to the development of sporadic colorectal cancer, but their distribution may vary greatly among tribes.