MAP9 single nucleotide polymorphism rs1058992 is a risk of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma in Chinese population

Microtubule-associated protein 9 (MAP9) is a mitosis-associated protein involved in bipolar spindle assembly. Following DNA damage, MAP9 stabilizes p53 via p300 and MDM2 (mouse double minute-2 homolog). The dysregulation of MAP9 was considered to be associated with tumorigenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key genes governing mitosis may particularly increase susceptibility to gastric carcinoma (GC). Our study demonstrated that the CC homozygous genotype of SNP rs1058992 located in the MAP9 gene was significantly correlated with EBV-associated GC (EBVaGC) in a recessive genetic model (OR = 2.558, 95% CI = 1.306-5.010, P = 0.043), and the C allele frequency of rs1058992 also showed significant correlation with EBVaGC (OR = 1.904, 95% CI = 1.141-3.179, P = 0.013). These results suggest that the MAP9 rs1058992 polymorphism is associated with risk of EBVaGC. The conversion of lysine to arginine caused by rs1058992 may affect development of EBVaGC; however, further studies in larger populations are needed to fully elucidate its role in EBVaGC.