Published Abstracts
Identifying oncomir microRNA-27a polymorphisms associated with prostate cancer in Native AmericansJoshelle Tsinnijinnie, Dr. Jason Wilder, and Kathleen Freel
J. Tsinnijinnie, J. Wilder, K. Freel, K. Mascarenas. Identifying oncomir microRNA-27a polymorphisms associated with prostate cancer in Native Americans. Bridges End of the Summer Research Presentation, Flagstaff, AZ, 2017.
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Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer in men, and the aggressiveness and mortality rate following diagnosis is higher in Native American (NA) populations compared to other ethnicities. We are focused on the genetic differences affecting the oncomir microRNA-27a (miR-27a) among ethinc groups to help elucidate the role of genetics as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Primers were designed to amplify the miR-27a pre-miRNA in 39 Native American individuals. The PCR product of selected NA samples were sequenced using Sanger sequencing at the University of Arizona Genetics Core in Tucson, Arizona. Resulting sequences were analyzed using Sequencher software and the two single polymorphic sites were identified as rs895819 and rs764547746. rs8985819 allelic frequencies vary across different populations such as American (T=0.62, C=0.38), Africian (T=0.52, C=0.48), and European (T=0.68, C=0.32). The calculated allelic frequencies of the Native American populations are T=0.75, C=0.25. rs764547746 is very rare worldwide, and occurs only once in our Native American sample. We hypothesize that one or both of these SNPs may influence processing of the pre-miRNA to mature miRNA molecules, thus influencing expression of oncogenic miR-27a. We will test this hypothesis by examining patterns of allele-specific miR-27a expression in transfected prostate cancer cells. Differential expression of these miRNAs may indicate that the polymorphism affects the processing of miR-27a and may also influence prostate cancer risk.
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Identifying microRNA-27 Polymorphisms in Native AmericansJoshelle Tsinnijinnie, Dr. Jason Wilder, Kathleen Freel, and Kristi Mascarenas
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Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland of the male reproductive system. It is the second leading cancer in men, and the mortality rate is higher in Native American populations compared to other ethnicities. There are many factors that contribute to prostate cancer risk such as genetic factors, age, ethnicity, cultural diet, lifestyle, and the distance from the nearest hospital. Knowing about these disparities helps to understand the progression and treatment of prostate cancer. The relative importance of these disparities is not well understood, and this research will focus on the genetic differences of the oncomir microRNA-27 (miR-27) between ethnic groups to help elucidate the role of genetics as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Specifically, we are screening a total of 40 Native American samples to identify polymorphisms of miR-27, which may affect its processing and function, and therefore risk of prostate cancer. Genetic variation of miR-27 has not been examined previously in Native American populations. With the primers that we have designed, we will amplify the region of the gene, and perform Sanger sequencing. Finally, we will test whether observed variants affect miR-27 using bioinformatic tools. Results are pending however, we have successfully amplified other oncogenes and the miR-27 cluster. Discovery of population-specific miR-27 polymorphisms may elucidate the disparity in prostate cancer mortality within Native Americans. J. Tsinnijinnie, J. Wilder, K. Freel, K. Mascarenas. Identifying microRNA-27a Polymorphisms Associated with Prostate Cancer in Native Americans. Undergraduate Biology Research Program 28th Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ, 2017. |
Identifying microRNA-27 Polymorphisms in Native AmericansJoshelle Tsinnijinnie, Dr. Jason Wilder, Kathleen Freel, and Kristi Mascarenas
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Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland of the male reproductive system. It is the second leading cancer in men, and the mortality rate is higher in Native American populations compared to other ethnicities. There are many factors that contribute to prostate cancer risk such as genetic factors, age, ethnicity, cultural diet, lifestyle, and the distance from the nearest hospital. Knowing about these disparities helps to understand the progression and treatment of prostate cancer. The relative importance of these disparities is not well understood, and this research will focus on the genetic differences of the oncomir microRNA-27 (miR-27) between ethnic groups to help elucidate the role of genetics as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Specifically, we are screening a total of 40 Native American samples to identify polymorphisms of miR-27, which may affect its processing and function, and therefore risk of prostate cancer. Genetic variation of miR-27 has not been examined previously in Native American populations. With the primers that we have designed, we will amplify the region of the gene, and perform Sanger sequencing. Finally, we will test whether observed variants affect miR-27 using bioinformatic tools. Results are pending however, we have successfully amplified other oncogenes and the miR-27 cluster. Discovery of population-specific miR-27 polymorphisms may elucidate the disparity in prostate cancer mortality within Native Americans. J. Tsinnijinnie, J. Wilder, K. Freel, K. Mascarenas. Identifying microRNA-27a Polymorphisms Associated with Prostate Cancer in Native Americans. Bridges End of the Summer Research Presentation, Flagstaff, AZ, 2016. |