HSD17B7 gene in self-renewal and oncogenicity of keratinocytes from Black versus White populations.

ABSTRACT: Human populations of Black African ancestry have a relatively high risk of aggressive cancer types, including keratinocyte-derived squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We show that primary keratinocytes (HKCs) from Black African (Black) versus White Caucasian (White) individuals have on average higher oncogenic and self-renewal potential, which are inversely related to mitochondrial electron transfer chain activity and ATP and ROS production. HSD17B7 is the top-ranked differentially expressed gene in HKCs and Head/Neck SCCs from individuals of Black African versus Caucasian ancestries, with several ancestry-specific eQTLs linked to its expression. Mirroring the differences between Black and White HKCs, modulation of the gene, coding for an enzyme involved in sex steroid and cholesterol biosynt

SUBMITTER: Xu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8261506 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature