Analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism in codon 388 of the FGFR4 gene in malignant gliomas

Abstract The FGFR4 codon 388 polymorphism (Arg 388 , Arg/Gly 388 or Gly 388 ) was determined in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), diffuse astrocytomas (DA), and control muscles. Arg 388 was rare in AA, GBM, muscles, and was absent in DA. The Arg/Gly 388 and the Gly 388 frequency was equal among GBM and controls. FGFR4 expression was not related to codon 388 in GBM, and no survival differences between Arg/Gly 388 and Gly 388 tumors were found. U87 cells (Arg/Gly 388 ) did not show higher invasion than U138 cells (Gly 388 ). This suggests that the FGFR4 codon 388 status does not play a major role in malignant gliomas.