POLYMORPHISM OF GLUTATHIONE S TRANSFERASES GENES (GSTM1 AND GSTT1) IN ARAB POPULATION RESIDING IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Gazala Afreen Khan* and Ummama Samahat*

ABSTRACT

The cluster of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes play an important role in phase II biotransformation of environmental compounds, pollutants, drugs and other xenobiotics. The prevalence of GST polymorphism is dependent on ethnicity. GST gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with predisposition to disease and disease outcomes. The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in 110 unrelated healthy Arab volunteer subjects residing in UAE was investigated. Blood was collected and DNA extracted by using the Wizard genomic DNA purification kit. Demographic information was also recorded. GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were analyzed by a PCR-Multiplex procedure. We found that 55.45% of the individuals had the GSTM1 null genotype, whereas 29% had the GSTT1 null genotype whereas 20.9% of the individuals had double null genotype ie both GSTT1 and GSTM1 absent. The frequencies of GST polymorphisms in the Arab population residing in UAE were found to be different from those observed in other population. This exhibits the impact of environmental factors and ethnicity and thus provides the basis for future clinical studies.

Keywords: .