Investigation of the association between ATP2B4 and ATP5B genes with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops as a multi-step process which results from gradual accumulation of mutations in proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes. Mortality rates of CRC are very high. Therefore, development of alternative diagnostic methods which can be used in the early diagnosis is crucial. ATP2B4 gene encodes PMCA, an ATPase enzyme, isoform among 4 others which is critical in maintaining calcium hemostasis by taking part in exporting calcium outside of the cell. ATP5B gene encodes a subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase enzyme. In this study, the relationship between ATP2B4 and ATP5B genes and CRC regarding gene expression was investigated based on the findings of a preliminary study which was held previously. Study group was constructed from a number of 50 patients (25 males, 25 females) with the mean age of 55.68±9.4 and the gene expression levels in the healthy and cancerous tissues of the patients were compared by using semi-quantitative and Real-Time PCR methods. Accordingly, in patients with rectum tumors, there was a significant relationship between ATP2B4 gene expression and the tumor location and in patients younger than 45 years, ATP5B gene expressions were detected significantly higher by using RT-PCR. However, no significant relationship was detected in terms of expression differences ofATP2B4 and ATP5B genes between cancerous and healthy tissues of the CRC patients in overall. ATP2B4 and ATP5B genes might have indirect associations in CRC pathogenesis and the investigation of their interactions with DNA repair and other related genes may help in understanding of CRC formation.