The importance of -460 C/T and +405 G/C single nucleotide polymorphisms to the function of vascular endothelial growth factor A in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the functional influence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -460 C/T and +405 G/C at vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), mRNA and protein levels in colorectal cancer (CRC) and normal colorectal tissue. METHODS: Blood and tissue were collected from 113 patients surgically resected for colorectal cancer. SNPs were analysed from genomic DNA by PCR, the VEGF-A gene expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR and protein analysis by ELISA. RESULTS: The T-allele in the -460 C/T SNP and the C-allele in the +405 G/C SNP were associated with significantly lower VEGF-A protein levels in normal colorectal tissue. There were no differences in protein levels in the malignant tissue according to genotypes. No differences were observed at the gene expression levels either. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the two SNPs have a functional influence on the VEGF-A protein levels in normal colorectal tissue. The possible clinical implications of the findings need further investigation.