Screening for Mitochondrial DNA A4977 Common Deletion Mutation as Predisposing Marker in Breast Tumors in Iraqi Patients

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been proposed to be involved in carcinogenesis and ageing. The mtDNA 4977 bp deletion mutation is one of the most frequently observed mtDNA mutations in human tissues and may play a role in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using mtDNA 4977 bp deletion mutation as biomarker for breast tumors in Iraqi women. Mitochondrial DNA was extracted from 26 women with malignant tumors and 33 women with benign tumors. From each patients, blood sample and biopsy tissues (malignant and sub-margin) were collected. Patient ́s DNA were amplified by using mtDNA 4977 deletion mutation specific-primers (HSAS8542/HSSN8416) as well as internal control-primers (ND6A/ND6B) in separated reaction mixtures. The results of agarose gel electrophoresis of amplified products of mtDNA 4977 deletion mutation showed that this mutation did not present in any of patient's sample. In conclusion, it's not believed that mtDNA mutation4977 could be act as biomarker risk factor for breast cancer in Iraqi patients.