Beta-catenin promoter polymorphism is associated with asthma risk in Korean subjects

ObjectivesThe effects of β-catenin promoter haplotypes on its mRNA expression levels and asthma risks were investigated in Korean subjects.Design and methodsThe genotype analyses were conducted by a Taqman method for 684 Korean subjects, 400 controls and 284 with asthma. Measurement of mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood nucleated cells were conducted on subjects whose buffy coat fractions were available (n = 185). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the associations of the β-catenin promoter haplotypes with asthma risks.ResultsFour SNPs, ? 10,288C>T (rs7630377), ? 6,426C>G (rs9859392), ? 4,361G>C (rs9870255), and ? 765G>A (rs3864004), were identified in the promoter region of the β-catenin gene, and three common haplotypes were constructed from them. Haplotype ht1[CCGG] was associated with decreased β-catenin mRNA expression levels and a lower asthma risk with an odds ratio of 0.53, while ht2[TGCA] was associated with increased mRNA expression levels and a higher asthma risk with an odds ratio of 2.34. Ht3[TCGG] had no significant effects on both.ConclusionsOur findings show that β-catenin promoter polymorphism affects its mRNA expression levels, and also is significantly associated with the asthma risk of Korean subjects.     

IL-2 gene C/T polymorphism is associated with prostate cancer

Cytokines are reported to be associated with the formation of prostate cancer. Our aim was to investigate whether C/T polymorphisms of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene and IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2RB) gene are associated with prostate cancer. We compared the frequency of the polymorphisms of the IL-2 gene and the IL-2RB gene between 96 patients with prostate cancer and 105 healthy male volunteers from the same area (age >60 years). They were followed for at least 5 years. There was a significant difference in distribution of the genotype of the IL-2 gene polymorphism between the prostate cancer group and the control group (P = 0.017). The distribution of the TT homozygote of the IL-2 gene was significantly higher in the cancer group (32.3%) than in the control group (16.2%). However, no significant statistical difference was found between the polymorphism of the IL-2 gene and prostate cancer in survival analysis during a 5-year follow up period (log rank test; P = 0.19). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the genotype of the IL-2RB gene polymorphism between controls and cancer patients (P = 0.388). This study suggests that the IL-2 gene may be associated with susceptibility to prostate cancer in the Taiwan population.     

Urokinase gene 3'-UTR T/C polymorphism is associated with oral cancer

Urokinase is thought to be involved in the formation of oral cancer, although there is a lack of genetic evidence. Our aim was to study single nucleotide polymorphisms in order to investigate the possibility. A total of 130 oral cancer patients and 105 controls were studied. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based restriction analysis was used to identify the C/T polymorphism of the urokinase gene, which is located on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of chromosome 10. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism frequency between cancer patients and the normal control group (P < 0.05). The "T" allele was prominent in the cancer group. The odds ratio for the risk of the "T" allele in cancer patients was 2.71 (95% CI = 1.325 approximately 5.562). The cancer patients were further categorized according to gender and whether or not they were habitual smokers or betel nut chewers. These clinical parameters were then compared with tumor cell differentiation and tumor progression. No significant differences were found. Therefore, the urokinase gene 3'-UTR "T" allele is associated with oral cancer and may play a role in oral cancer formation. However, we did not find the relationship between tumor progression and this polymorphism.     

Effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on serum uric acid levels in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that apolipoprotein E (apo E-) polymorphism may affect serum creatinine concentration and predicted glomerular filtration rate in healthy individuals. On the other hand, there are limited data regarding the possible influence of apo E- polymorphism on serum uric acid (SUA) levels. METHODS: Two hundred ninety (148 male, 142 female) apparently healthy white individuals were studied. apo E- genotypes, serum lipid parameters including apolipoproteins, insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) as a marker, serum and urine creatinine levels, and serum and urine uric acid concentration were determined in all participants. RESULTS: The apo E-2 allele was associated with lower serum levels of total cholesterol, higher levels of triglycerides and apo E-, and increased serum creatinine concentration compared with the apo E-3 and apo E-4 alleles in our population. Furthermore, the apo E-2 allele was associated with higher SUA levels (321.3+/-101.1 micrmol/L [5.4+/-1.7 mg/dL]) compared with the apo E-3 allele (261.8+/-89.2 micromol/L [4.4+/-1.5 mg/dL]; p= .012) and the apo E-4 allele (243.9+/-65.4 micromol/L [4.1+/-1.1 mg/dL]; p= .010), whereas the apo E-2 allele was associated with a nonsignificantdecrease in the fractional renal excretion of uric acid (FEUA) compared with the apo E-3 and apo E-4 alleles (7.9+/-2.2% vs 8.7+/-4.2% vs 8.9+/-5.1%, respectively; p = .53). These observations remained statistically significant when the effect of apo E- polymorphism on SUA levels was adjusted for gender, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, serum creatinine, and triglyceride and apo E- levels, as well as for HOMA index and FEUA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence, for the first time, that the apo E-2 allele is independently associated with increased SUA levels in healthy individuals.     

GNAS1 T393C polymorphism is associated with migraine

Migraineurs have an interictal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) hypofunctionality and hypersensitivity to adrenergic amines. The GNAS1 T393C polymorphism has been associated with a distinct SNS sensitivity in healthy subjects. We tested GNAS1 T393C variant in two independent sets of subjects. In the case-control subset, 365 migraine patients [194 with aura (MA)] vs. 347 healthy controls were studied. A significant excess of the CC genotype was found in migraneurs (31.2%) as opposed to controls (20.2%; P=0.003). Using a logistic regression model corrected for sex, the CC genotype conferred a general risk for migraine twice [odds ratio (OR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.53; P=0.001] higher than CT/TT genotypes. Using parents from 117 migraine families, a marginally significant trend for association could be observed (P=0.025), but the transmission disequilibrium test for alleles maternally transmitted failed to demonstrate familial association. In this subgroup, CC genotype conferred a risk for migraine over twice (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.14-4.40; P=0.019) higher than TT/TC genotypes. In conclusion, the GNAS1 T393C variant is associated with migraine, which suggests a genetic basis for its higher SNS sensitivity.     

The C242T p22phox polymorphism and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia

Oxidative stress plays a major pathogenetic role in cardiovascular disease. The C242T variant of the CYBA gene encoding the p22phox subunit of the NAD(P)H oxidase, a major source of superoxide production, has been shown to be associated with coronary artery disease and with vascular superoxide production in human veins ex vivo. Since superoxide degrades nitric oxide (NO), we hypothesized that the C242T variant influences endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the human forearm vasculature in vivo. In the present study, 90 subjects with elevated cholesterol levels were stratified for the C242T polymorphism of the CYBA p22phox gene. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation were assessed by plethysmographic monitoring of forearm blood flow responses to intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside respectively. N(G)-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) was infused to analyse NO-mediated basal vascular tone. Baseline parameters (age, gender, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol level) were similar across the genotypes. No differences in forearm blood flow responses to the intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside or L-NMMA were found across the CYBA p22phox genotypes. Our sample size of n =90 had a power of >80% (beta=0.20) with a P value of <0.05 (alpha=0.05) to detect a difference greater than 156% in the forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine across genotypes (S.D. 336%; average increase in forearm blood flow=514%). In conclusion, at a power of 80%, our study excludes a major effect of the C242T CYBA p22phox polymorphism on acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation and basal NO-mediated vascular tone of the human forearm circulation in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia.     

A promoter polymorphism − 2122C>T of CHI3L1 is associated with serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level in Korean subjects

ObjectivesThis study assessed the effects of 10 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CHI3L1 gene on serum LDL cholesterol levels in 290 Korean subjects.Design and methodsGenotyping analyses of SNPs were conducted by TaqMan® method. The effects of the promoter SNP on mRNA expression and nuclear factor binding were measured by real-time PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively.ResultsAmong 10 tagging SNPs, ? 2122C>T SNP (rs946261) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum LDL cholesterol level (P = 0.005). The T allele of ? 2122C>T was associated with significantly increased mRNA expressions in peripheral blood cells of the subjects, and also increased a nuclear factor binding measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Conclusions? 2122C>T of CHI3L1, a promoter SNP which affects the mRNA expression and nuclear factor binding, is significantly associated with serum LDL cholesterol levels in Korean subjects.     

山东沿海地区高尿酸血症患者SLC22A12基因的多态性

目的:观察山东沿海地区人群SLC22A12基因的多态性,分析其与高尿酸血症的关系。方法:该实验于2005-11/2006-04收集病历于2006-05/07完成实验室部分。纳入青岛大学医学院附属医院门诊或青岛市社区高尿酸血症患者138例为高尿酸血症组,同时选取青岛市区健康者117人健康对照组。两次来访,初访时进行详细的记录,包括用药情况、身高、体质量、腰围、腹围、体质量指数、血压以及家族史。再访时隔夜空腹12h抽血测血尿酸、血糖、血脂、肝酶等,分析两组生化指标的差异。所有标本采用PCR、DNA序列分析、病历对照等方法对138例高尿酸血症者和117例健康对照者基因进行分析。结果:高尿酸血症组患者138例,健康对照组117人全部进入结果分析,无脱失。①健康对照组和高尿酸血症组一般情况比较,年龄、血肌酐、空腹血糖两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。体质量指数、腰臀围比、血压、血尿酸、总胆固醇、三酰甘油空腹血糖两组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.001)。②健康对照组CC CT基因型和TT基因型频率与高尿酸血症组比较差异有非常显著性意义(77.8%,97.1%;22.2%,2.9%;P<0.001)。③健康对照组CC CT基因型和TT基因型相对应的血尿酸值比较差异有显著性意义[(271±33.5),(301±37.8)mmol/L,P<0.01]。高尿酸血症组CC CT基因型和TT基因型相对应的血尿酸比较差异无统计学意义[(457±71.2),(459±80.1)mmol/L,P>0.05]。结论:高尿酸血症和正常人hURAT1基因同样存在多个突变位点,基因的多态性与血清尿酸水平有关。SLC22A12基因C258T位点多态性与中国沿海地区高尿酸血症有关。     

Absence of SLC22A12 gene mutations in Greek Caucasian patients with primary renal hypouricaemia

OBJECTIVE: Primary renal hypouricaemia is a hereditary clinical disorder characterized by increased renal urate clearance due to isolated renal tubular defect of uric acid transport. There have been only a few studies on primary renal hypouricaemia in Caucasian populations. Defects in the SLC22A12 gene, which encodes the renal urate transporter URAT1, have been reported to be related to the disease pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to elucidate whether SLC22A12 gene mutations are responsible for low serum uric acid levels in Greek people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine Greek Caucasian subjects with primary renal hypouricaemia were included in the study. All had serum uric acid less than 2.5 mg dL(-1) (0.14 mmol L(-1)), fractional excretion of uric acid more than 10% and no other known causes of hypouricaemia. Mutation analysis of the SLC22A12 gene was performed. RESULTS: No mutation was found--only the previously reported silent polymorphism 1246T > C (His 42His) in exon 2 of the SLC22A12 gene. CONCLUSIONS: No previously reported mutation of URAT1 was associated with primary renal hypouricaemia in Greek subjects.     

内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因多态性与急性冠脉综合征患者尿酸的关系

目的 探讨中国汉族急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者尿酸与内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因多态性的关系.方法 采用聚合酶链反应/限制性片段长度多态性方法分析58例ACS患者(ACS组)和43例对照组患者的eNOS基因Glu298→Asp变异体.结果 与对照组比较,ACS组eNOS基因Glu/Glu、Glu/Asp、Asp/Asp基因型频率差异无统计学意义(43.1%、36.2%、20.7%比48.8%、34.9%、16.3%,x2=0.446,P=0.800).与eNOS基因Glu298等位基因携带者比较,ACS的危险性在Asp/Asp携带者中并不增高[相对比值比(OR)1.34,95%可信区间(CI)0.479～3.755,P=0.575].eNOS基因Glu298→Asp变异体与Duke积分无显著性关系[Glu/Glu(48.33±19.61)分,Glu/Asp(38.19±15.12)分,Asp/Asp(46.73±19.90)分,P=0.248];但Glu298→Asp基因型与ACS组患者血清尿酸存在显著的关联[Glu/Glu(298.92±87.27)μmol/L,Glu/Asp(370.80±95.80)μmol/L,Asp/Asp(346.16±93.71)μmol/L,P=0.01 7].结论 在中国汉族人群中,eNOS基因Glu298→Asp多态性与ACS患者不相关,而与ACS组患者血清尿酸存在显著的关联.     

Pvu II intron 15 polymorphism at the LDL receptor gene is associated with differences in serum lipid concentrations in subjects with low and high risk for coronary artery disease from Brazil

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a high prevalence in the Brazilian population. Nevertheless, studies of genetic risk factors for CAD in this country have not been sufficiently conducted. We used the Pvu II polymorphism (intron 15) at the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene to study the effect of variation at this locus in determining plasma lipid concentrations in 128 white subjects presenting a lipid profile suggesting high risk for CAD (HRG) and 100 white normolipidemic individuals (controls, CG). The Pvu II polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP. The P1P1 genotype for Pvu II polymorphism (homozygous for absence of restriction site) was greater in HRG individuals than in CG subjects (57% vs. 38%, P<0.05). Moreover, the P1P1 genotype was strongly associated with high concentrations of total cholesterol (P=0.0001), triglycerides (P=0. 0295), LDL-C (P=0.0001), and VLDL-C concentrations (P=0.0280) and lower HDL-C concentrations (P=0.0051) in HRG subjects. Similarly, the CG individuals with P1P1 genotype presented high concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-C compared to other genotypes (P=0. 0001). This study demonstrates the influence of Pvu II polymorphism of the LDLR on serum lipid concentrations of individuals with low and high risk for CAD from Brazil.     

MICA polymorphism is associated with type 1 diabetes in the Korean population

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have demonstrated that MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related genes) on the short arm of the chromosome 6 are associated with susceptibility to various autoimmune diseases in Caucasians. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of MICA in type 1 diabetes susceptibility independent of the HLA DR-DQ polymorphism in genetically distinct Koreans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 119 patients selected from Korean Seoul type 1 diabetes registry and 134 nondiabetic unrelated control subjects were typed for exon 5 polymorphism of MICA in addition to HLA DR-DQ typing. A total of 52 simplex families of type 1 diabetes were also studied. RESULTS: The MICA microsatellite allele consisting of six repetitions of GCT/AGC (A6) was present at a significantly lower frequency in the diabetic patient group (Pc < 0.01; Pc = P value after Bonferroni correction) than in the control population. The MICA microsatellite allele consisting of four repetitions (A4) was present at a higher frequency in diabetic patients (P < 0.05). This deviated distribution was not changed even after controlling for the HLA DRB1-DQB1 haplotype. Transmission/disequilibrium test revealed significant deviation of transmission for alleles at the A6 polymorphism within the MICA gene (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We could assess that the MICA gene might be associated with type 1 diabetes transracially independent of the HLA gene.     

SLC22A3 is associated with lipoprotein (a) concentration and cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia

Background and aimsSeveral clinical and genetic factors have been shown to modulate the cardiovascular risk in subjects affected by familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Genome wide association studies (GWAS) in the general population have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This include the rs2048327 variant in the SLC22A3 gene. However, the effect of this SNP in FH subjects is unknown. The objectives of this study are to investigate the association between rs2048327 and the prevalence of CVD as well as with the concentration of lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)), in a cohort of genetically-confirmed heterozygous FH patients.MethodsAn enzyme-linked immunoassay kit was used to assess the Lp (a) concentration, whereas an exome chip genotyping method was used to impute the rs2048327 genotype.ResultsThe cohort comprised 287 non-carriers (TT), 305 heterozygous carriers (TC) and 76 homozygous carriers of the rs2048327 variant. In a model corrected for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, rs2048327 was significantly associated with Lp (a) level (median value of 12, 16 and 29 mg/dL in TT, TC and CC carriers, respectively, p < .0001). In a model corrected for cardiovascular risk factors and Lp(a) value, carrying the C allele was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of CVD (OR 1.96, 95%CI 1.21–3.19, p = .007).ConclusionsIn this study, we demonstrated that the rs2048327 SNP of the SLC22A3 gene was significantly associated with Lp(a) as well as with CVD events in FH subjects. Further studies are required in order to investigate the mechanisms behind these associations.