Comparison of Genetic Variants in Cancer-Related Genes between Chinese Hui and Han Populations

Abstract

BackgroundThe Chinese Hui population, as the second largest minority ethnic group in China, may have a different genetic background from Han people because of its unique demographic history. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic differences between Han and Hui Chinese from the Ningxia region of China by comparing eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms in cancer-related genes.MethodsDNA samples were collected from 99 Hui and 145 Han people from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China, and SNPs were detected using an improved multiplex ligase detection reaction method. Genotyping data from six 1000 Genomes Project population samples (99 Utah residents with northern and western European ancestry (CEU), 107 Toscani in Italy (TSI), 108 Yoruba in Ibadan (YRI), 61 of African ancestry in the southwestern US (ASW), 103 Han Chinese in Beijing (CHB), and 104 Japanese in Tokyo (JPT)) were also included in this study. Differences in the distribution of alleles among the populations were assessed using χ2 tests, and FST was used to measure the degree of population differentiation.ResultsWe found that the genetic diversity of many SNPs in cancer-related genes in the Hui Chinese in Ningxia was different from that in the Han Chinese in Ningxia. For example, the allele frequencies of four SNPs (rs13361707, rs2274223, rs465498, and rs753955) showed different genetic distributions (p<0.05) between Chinese Ningxia Han and Chinese Ningxia Hui. Five SNPs (rs730506, rs13361707, rs2274223, rs465498 and rs753955) had different FST values (FST >0.000) between the Hui and Han populations.ConclusionsThese results suggest that some SNPs associated with cancer-related genes vary among different Chinese ethnic groups. We suggest that population differences should be carefully considered in evaluating cancer risk and prognosis as well as the efficacy of cancer therapy.

A Novel Association between Lysyl Oxidase Gene Polymorphism and Intracranial Aneurysm in Koreans

“…Differences in the frequencies of genetic polymorphisms according to ethnics have been reported. Tian, et al 28 reported the genetic diversity of many SNPs in cancer-related genes between Chinese Hui and Han populations. Inoue, et al 29 also showed a difference in the frequency distribution of the genetic polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene in Japanese and Caucasian populations.…”

Ethnic disparities in demographic, clinicopathologic and biological behaviours and prognosis of gastric cancer in northwest China

“…Li et al systemically investigated the effects of exogenous additives on the genetic diversity of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion between the Han majority and Hui minority in Northwest China and reported significant differences between the Han and Hui populations 28 . Our previous study also showed that the distribution of genetic variants in cancer‐related genes varies between Han and Hui people 24 . These studies highlight that genetic background diversity in ethnicities, such as the Han and Hui populations, may affect an individual's cancer spectrum.…”

“…Most Hui people are Muslims and descendants of soldiers, merchants and political emissaries from Arabia and Persia. 22 Approximately 2.2 million Hui people, who are characterised by religious purity, group identity and different living habits, 23,24 live in the Ningxia region of Northwest China, which has the highest incidence and mortality of GC. In this study, compared with Han patients, Hui patients were less likely to smoke or consume alcohol, but they were more likely to present at a more advanced T stage, N stage and clinical staging.…”

“…28 Our previous study also showed that the distribution of genetic variants in cancer-related genes varies between Han and Hui people. 24 These studies highlight that genetic background diversity in ethnicities, such as the Han and Hui populations, may affect an individual's cancer spectrum. These results have significant implications for assessing cancer susceptibility, sensitivity to treatments and prognosis among different ethnic groups.…”