In silico whole-genome screening for cancer-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in human mRNA untranslated regions

摘要

BackgroundA promising application of the huge amounts of genetic data currently available lies in developing a better understanding of complex diseases, such as cancer. Analysis of publicly available databases can help identify potential candidates for genes or mutations specifically related to the cancer phenotype. In spite of their huge potential to affect gene function, no systematic attention has been paid so far to the changes that occur in untranslated regions of mRNA.