Analysis of L-MYC Gene Polymorphism in Patients With Renal Failure Outcome to Renal Transplant

Abstract

Background Abnormalities of cell numbers and apoptosis have been observed in renal failure. As uncontrolled expression of c-myc is known to induce apoptosis, we thought that polymorphism in the other myc gene, L-myc gene, which is structually similar to c-myc and reported to be expressed in the kidney, may have a role in the induction of apoptosis and thus have role in chronic renal failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the distribution of L-myc genotypes and renal failure. Methods In the present study we examined 101 chronic renal failure patients who had either live or cadaveric renal transplants and 105 healthy individuals, for L-myc gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reactions and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques. Results Among our patient group, the distribution of the LL, LS, and SS genotypes was 24% ( n = 25), 71% ( n = 71), and 5% ( n = 5), respectively, versus 41% ( n = 43), 47% ( n = 49), and 12% ( n = 13) in our control group. The distribution of genotypes was significantly different between our patients and the control group (χ 2 = 12.281; P = .002). The frequency of the S allele was significantly higher in the patient group (χ 2 = 6.122; P = .013). Conclusion Our study showed that having an S allele in the L-myc gene may increase the risk of renal failure.