Identification of functional genetic variants in miRNA binding site in genes associated with lung cancer

Abstract

The miRNAs are 22-46 nucleotidelong, non-protein coding RNAsthat act as oncogenes. Their altered expression can cause diseases, includingcancer. Lung cancer is causing death of million peopleworldwide. Yet only few genetic biomarkers are known for detecting lung cancer. miRNAs are those non-coding RNAs that act as such biomarkers. They act as oncogenes and regulate many biological processesand cellular pathways. The miRNAs regulate gene expression of protein coding genes by generating either translation repression or RNAdegradation. When they bind with 3' UTR of newly formed miRNA transcripts along with other helper proteins, they inhibit their expression and function. This translation inhibition, affects tumor suppressor genes and leads to cancer.miRNAexpression deregulation found in various cancers such as Prostrate, Breast, Colonialand Lung canceretc. In this study insilico approach has been used to find out functional genetic variation in miRNA binding sites of genes responsible for causing lung cancer. As a result of this study we have found 7 SNPs involved in such cancers-rs6772, rs1036672, rs739442, rs1050700, rs3185695, rs12723035, rs3787030. These SNPs can act as candidate biomarkers for lung cancer.