Studying the Association of Gene Expressions and Gene Polymorphisms of MAPK14 (rs28763973) and HTR2B (rs550352538) with Gastric Cancer in Isfahan Province

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, occurring in approximately two-thirds of developing countries, and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. The mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) plays an important role in the conversion of extracellular stimuli to a wide range of cellular responses. The 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B (HTR2B) increases the level of 5-HT; and as a result, platelet-derived 5-HT promotes tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic potential of cancer cells.

Expression analysis was performed on 20 healthy cases and 20 cancerous cases for MAPK14 and 20 healthy cases and 19 cancerous cases for HTR2B using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 38 healthy cases and 30 cancerous cases for rs550352538, and 35 healthy cases and 35 cancerous cases for rs28763973 via tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (T-ARMS PCR) technique.

No significant difference was observed in MAPK14 and HTR2B gene expression levels (P>0.05). In addition, there is no statistically significant association of different genotypes in rs28763973 from MAPK14 gene and rs550352538 from HTR2B gene with gastric cancer (P>0.05).

No significant difference was noted between patient and healthy individuals in expression levels and gene polymorphisms; nevertheless, results may vary by significantly changing the gene pool or population size.