A functional Cis-eQTL locus in lncRNA ZNRD1-AS1 contributes to the susceptibility of endometrial cancer

J.-T. Peng, M.-C. Li

Reproductive Medicine Center, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 9253396@qq.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer (EC) remains one of the most common gynecologic malignancies worldwide. However, the exact etiology is still unknown. Human Zinc ribbon domain containing 1 (ZNRD1) was involved in carcinogenesis and progression of multiple cancers, including EC. ZNRD1-AS1, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) located in the upstream of ZNRD1, has been reported as an essential component in carcinogenesis. However, the underlying relations of ZNRD1-AS1 with development of EC remain obscure. This study aims to evaluate the potential role of ZNRD1-AS1 and Cis-eQTL loci of ZNRD1 in the occurrence of EC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We first evaluated the expression of ZNRD1-AS1 and ZNRD1 among EC tissues and corresponding normal tissues using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, to reveal the underlying mechanisms, we investigated the associations between Cis-eQTL loci of ZNRD1 in ZNRD1-AS1 and the susceptibility of EC. Further, in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the regulation role of rs9261204 on the expression of ZNRD1gene.
RESULTS: Higher expression of ZNRD1-AS1 and lower expression of ZNRD1 were detected in the EC tissues, compared to the normal tissues. Minor allele of rs9261204 was significantly associated with increased risk of EC (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.09-1.61; p = 0.004). Furthermore, in vitro experiments confirmed that Ishikawa cells with rs9261204 G allele had lower mRNA level of ZNRD1, compared to the A allele.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings first showed the contribution of LncRNA ZNRD1-AS1 and Cis-eQTL loci of ZNRD1 to the development of EC. Further studies incorporating larger populations and functional assays are warranted.

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