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Different genotype distribution of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism of the G protein β3 subunit in adenomas and differentiated thyroid carcinomas of follicular cell origin
Author(s) -
Sheu SienYi,
Görges Rainer,
Ensinger Christian,
Öfner Dietmar,
Farid Nadir R,
Siffert Winfried,
Schmid Kurt Werner
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1857
Subject(s) - genotype , protein subunit , cell , biology , follicular phase , follicular cell , thyroid , cancer research , pathology , medicine , endocrinology , genetics , gene
Abstract A C825T polymorphism has been demonstrated in the GNB3 gene that encodes the Gβ3 subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. Due to enhanced G protein activation, the GNB3 825T allele is associated with an increased signal transduction activity. To elucidate a possible role in the development and course of thyroid tumours of follicular cell origin, C825T polymorphism genotypes and allele frequencies were investigated in a series of adenomas and differentiated carcinomas. Genotypes and the allele frequency of the Gβ3 polymorphism were investigated in samples from 361 patients (all white Caucasians) with differentiated thyroid tumours of follicular cell origin [80 adenomas and 95 follicular (FTCs) and 186 papillary carcinomas (PTCs)]. The results were compared with those of 1859 healthy controls. Both the genotype distribution ( p = 0.029) and the allele frequency ( p = 0.028) of the adenoma group were statistically significantly different from those of the control group. Thyroid adenomas also differed for both parameters significantly from FTCs ( p = 0.042 and 0.033, respectively) and PTCs (0.0018 and 0.0081, respectively), whereas no statistical difference was noted between the FTC and PTC groups. Although the biological significance of these observations remains obscure, the results are suggestive of a putative role for the GNB3 polymorphism in thyroid tumour development and/or progression. Further research has to elucidate if, and to what extent, this common germ‐line variation influences the TSH‐triggered signalling pathways responsible for thyroid function and proliferation. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.