CLOCK in breast tumorigenesis: genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional profiling analyses.

ABSTRACT: The transcription factors responsible for maintaining circadian rhythm influence a variety of biological processes. Recently, it has been suggested that the core circadian genes may play a role in breast tumorigenesis, possibly by influencing hormone regulation or other pathways relevant to cancer. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conducted a genetic and epigenetic association study, as well as a transcriptional profiling array and a pathway-based network analysis. We report significant correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the central circadian regulator CLOCK and breast cancer risk, with apparent effect modification by estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status. We also found that hypermethylation in the CLOCK promoter reduced the risk of breast cancer,

SUBMITTER: Hoffman AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3188957 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature