Functional variant rs10175368 which affects the expression of CYP1B1 plays a protective role against breast cancer in a Chinese Han population

Abstract

Objective Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) genetic variants are relevant in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Exploring the relationships between CYP1B1 functional variants and breast cancer could improve our understanding of breast cancer molecular pathophysiology. Methods This is a two-stage hospital-based case–control study of a Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed to identify candidate gene variants. 3DSNP, ANNOVAR, and RegulomeDB were used to determine functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The relationship between candidate variants and breast cancer risk was evaluated through unconditional logistic regression analysis. The PancanQTL platform was used to perform cis and trans expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis of positive SNPs. The GSCA platform was then used to compare the gene expression levels of potential target genes between breast cancer tissue and normal tissue adjacent to the cancer. Results rs10175368-T acted as a protective factor against breast cancer based on an additive model [odds ratio (OR) = 0.722, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.613–0.850; P < 0.001], and was identified as a protective factor in the postmenopausal population (OR = 0.601; 95% CI, 0.474–0.764; P < 0.001). eQTL analysis and analysis of differential expression in carcinoma and paracancerous tissues revealed that the expression level of CYP1B1-AS1 was associated with rs10175368 and that CYP1B1-AS1 had significantly higher expression levels in breast cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues. Conclusion We show, for the first time in a Chinese Han population, that the functional variant rs10175368 plays a protective role against breast cancer, especially in the postmenopausal population.