Association between polymorphism of GLI1 gene SNP rs2228226 and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Chinese population

A non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs2228226C>G), in exon 12 of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) (Q1100E), encodes a change from glutamine to glutamic acid (Q1100E). The variant GLI1 protein exhibited reduced transactivation function in vivo, decreasing the ability of activating hedgehog signal, which has been proposed as an unfavorable prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The GLI1 Q1100E (NCBI SNP ID: rs2228226) genotypes in 155 CLL patients were detected by direct sequencing. The difference between frequencies of GLI1 Q1100E genotype among CLL patients and controls was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that in comparison with G/G, GLI1 SNP1100 C/C genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CLL (OR 3.787, 95 % CI 1.814–7.907, p < 0.001). Compared with the SNP1100 C/G genotype, C/C genotype significantly increased the risk of CLL (OR 3.860, 95 % CI 1.827–8.153, p < 0.001). In addition, combining C/G with G/G, C/C genotype also significantly increased the risk of CLL (OR 3.820, 95 % CI 1.885–7.742, p < 0.001). The comparison between frequencies of C and G allele of GLI1 was also statistically significant (p = 0.004). In the entire cohort, SNP1100 genotypes were found in association with Binet stage (p = 0.045) and trisomy 12 (p = 0.036). By comparing C/C with G allele (C/G+G/G) genotype, there was a significant correlation with trisomy 12 (p = 0.013). This study demonstrated that GLI1 Q1100E polymorphism was closely associated with CLL. C/C genotype contributes to the risk of developing CLL and correlates with trisomy 12. Patients with trisomy 12 are susceptible group of CLL.