Objective: The Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), belonging to the Bcl-2 family, plays a pivotal role in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The aims of this study are to revalidate the functional significance of Bax G(-248)A polymorphism, and investigate its association with lung cancer risk in Chinese population.
Methods: The biological function of Bax G(-248)A was tested by luciferase assays, and its effects on lung cancer risk was determined by case-control analysis of 989 patients with lung cancer and 990 controls.
Results: Bax -248A allele exhibited significantly higher transcriptional activity compared with G allele. The Bax-248A allele carriers yielded a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer, compared with -248G allele carriers (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48 approximately 0.90, P = 0.01). Furthermore, a significant gene-smoking interaction between Bax G(-248)A polymorphism and smoking existed among the light smokers.
Conclusion: Bax G(-248)A polymorphism is associated with lung cancer susceptibility in Chinese population.