Abstract
The possibility of an association between restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at the Ha-ras gene locus and susceptibility to develop colorectal cancer has been investigated. Leucocyte DNA from 46 carcinoma patients and 49 controls was analysed by Southern blotting to determine the size distribution of restriction fragments containing the variable tandem repeat 3' to the Ha-ras gene. Four predominant allelic fragments were found in both groups (in AvaII digests having sizes of 1.55, 2.0, 2.65 and 3.15 kilobases [kb]), together with a variety of 'rare' alleles (with individual frequencies less than 5%). The overall prevalence of rare alleles was not significantly different between cancer and control groups. The distribution of the common alleles, however, differed significantly. The combined frequency of the two larger alleles (a3 and a4) was approximately twice as high in the cancer group (34%) as in controls (18%) (P less than 0.025), which was reflected in a highly significant increase in the proportion of individuals carrying an a3 or a4 allele.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wyllie, F., Wynford-Thomas, V., Lemoine, N. et al. Ha-ras restriction fragment length polymorphisms in colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 57, 135–138 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1988.28
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1988.28
This article is cited by
-
Current evidence on the relationship between HRAS1 polymorphism and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (2011)
-
Simultaneous detection of genetic and immunological markers in non-small cell lung cancer: prediction of metastatic potential of tumor
Clinical & Experimental Metastasis (1996)
-
Ha-ras rare alleles in breast cancer susceptibility
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (1995)
-
Detection of rat gene alterations and ras proteins in colorectal cancer
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum (1989)
-
TaqI polymorphism within the c-Ha-ras-1 VTR is associated with melanoma
Human Genetics (1989)