What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Prostate Cancer Risk: 10/10 evidence, 68 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Significantly Higher Prostate Cancer Risk
Two copies of the T allele are linked to a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and elevated PSA levels. This genotype is associated with a significant reduction in protective prostate proteins.
What this genotype means: Significantly increased risk of prostate cancer; Elevated baseline PSA levels; Substantially reduced levels of protective microseminoprotein beta.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Typical Prostate Cancer Risk
Two copies of the C allele are associated with typical prostate cancer risk and normal PSA levels. This genotype maintains healthy, protective levels of microseminoprotein beta.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Normal baseline PSA levels; Healthy, protective levels of microseminoprotein beta.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Moderately Higher Prostate Cancer Risk
One copy of the T allele is linked to a moderate increase in prostate cancer risk. This genotype results in intermediate levels of protective prostate proteins and slightly elevated PSA.
What this genotype means: Moderately increased risk of prostate cancer; Slightly elevated baseline PSA levels; Moderately reduced levels of protective microseminoprotein beta.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The MSMB gene encodes microseminoprotein beta, which is also known as prostatic secretory protein 94 or PSP94 [1]. This protein is one of the most abundant secretory products of the prostate gland [1]. It is believed to play a role in regulating cell growth and inducing apoptosis in prostate cells, potentially acting as a tumor suppressor [2]. During the progression of prostate cancer, the expression of this protein is frequently reduced or completely lost [2].
Variant Impact: The rs10993994 variant is located in the promoter region of the MSMB gene, where it directly influences how the gene is transcribed [3]. The protective C allele allows for the binding of transcription factors like CREB, maintaining healthy levels of microseminoprotein beta [3]. Conversely, the risk-associated T allele significantly reduces promoter activity, leading to a dramatic decrease in protein expression [3]. This reduction in microseminoprotein beta is thought to impair the regulation of cell growth, thereby increasing susceptibility to tumor development [4].
Key Insight: The risk-associated T allele reduces the promoter activity of the MSMB gene to just thirteen percent of the protective C allele, leading to a severe drop in protective prostate proteins.
Location: MSMB. Chromosome 10 · 10q11.22 · 46.0 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 22.4%; European 15.3%; African 37.3%; East Asian 21.2%; South Asian 34.6%; Americas 16.6%; Ashkenazi 23.4%; Finnish 12.5%; Middle Eastern 37.1%; Amish 20.3%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 47.7%; European 47.6%; African 47.6%; East Asian 49.7%; South Asian 48.4%; Americas 48.3%; Ashkenazi 49.9%; Finnish 45.7%; Middle Eastern 47.6%; Amish 49.5%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 29.9%; European 37.1%; African 15.2%; East Asian 29.1%; South Asian 17.0%; Americas 35.2%; Ashkenazi 26.7%; Finnish 41.8%; Middle Eastern 15.3%; Amish 30.2%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264096. ~1.6x Increased Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21160077. Elevated Levels.
Beta-Microseminoprotein. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29875488. Decreased Levels.
General Cancer Risk
General Cancer Risk. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 35729236. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264096. Typical Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21160077. Typical Levels.
Beta-Microseminoprotein. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29875488. Typical Levels.
General Cancer Risk. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 35729236. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264096. ~1.2x Increased Risk.
PSA Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21160077. Slightly Elevated.
Beta-Microseminoprotein. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29875488. Slightly Decreased.
General Cancer Risk. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 35729236. Slightly Increased.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Inheriting two copies of the T allele is strongly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, with studies estimating an odds ratio of approximately 1.6 [1]. This genetic variation leads to a dramatic reduction in the expression of microseminoprotein beta in both prostate tissue and bodily fluids [2]. Because this protein acts as a natural regulator of cell growth, its absence may allow abnormal cells to proliferate more easily [2]. Additionally, this genotype is linked to higher baseline levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, which is a common biomarker used in screenings [3]. Understanding this genetic profile can help guide personalized screening strategies in consultation with a physician [4].
Significantly increased risk of prostate cancer; Elevated baseline PSA levels; Substantially reduced levels of protective microseminoprotein beta.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Possessing two copies of the C allele is associated with a typical baseline risk of developing prostate cancer [1]. This genotype allows for optimal binding of transcription factors in the promoter region of the MSMB gene, ensuring healthy production of microseminoprotein beta [2]. Normal levels of this protein help regulate cell growth and maintain cellular health within the prostate [2]. Furthermore, this genetic profile is associated with typical baseline PSA levels, reducing the likelihood of false-positive screening results [3]. Maintaining standard wellness checkups remains the recommended approach for overall prostate health [4].
Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Normal baseline PSA levels; Healthy, protective levels of microseminoprotein beta.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
Carrying one copy of the T allele and one copy of the C allele is associated with a moderate increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer, typically with an odds ratio of around 1.2 [1]. This intermediate genetic profile results in a partial reduction of microseminoprotein beta expression [2]. Consequently, the protective cell-regulating effects of this protein are somewhat diminished compared to the typical genotype [2]. Baseline PSA levels may also be slightly elevated, which can influence the interpretation of routine screening tests [3]. Knowing this status is valuable for discussing tailored prostate health monitoring with a healthcare provider [4].
Moderately increased risk of prostate cancer; Slightly elevated baseline PSA levels; Moderately reduced levels of protective microseminoprotein beta.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs10486567 · JAZF1 Gene · Chr 7 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs1512268 · NKX3-1 Gene · Chr 8 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs5759167 · BIK Gene · Chr 22 · Prostate Cancer Risk
Analysis of the 10q11 cancer risk locus implicates MSMB and NCOA4 in human prostate tumorigenesis.
Multiple loci identified in a genome-wide association study of prostate cancer.
Genetic correction of PSA values using sequence variants associated with PSA levels.
Multiple newly identified loci associated with prostate cancer susceptibility.
Content updated August 2026.
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