A genetic variation of the p38ß promoter region is correlated with an increased risk of sporadic colorectal cancer.

p38 plays a critical role in the proliferation, survival, migration and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The present study assessed the correlation between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the p38ß promoter region (rs2235356, -1628A>G) and the predisposition of individuals to sporadic CRC in a case-control study. A genotyping method was developed to detect this SNP, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). It was revealed that the -1628G variant allele was correlated with an increased risk of CRC (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.60-2.47; P<0.0001). An in silico analysis revealed several transcription factors that either acquired or lost the ability to bind to -1628AA in the p38ß promoter region due to the SNP. Therefore, this allelic variant may be a genetic modifier for CRC susceptibility.