Glutathione S-transferase Omega class (GSTO) polymorphisms in a sample from Rome (Central Italy)

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferases are a superfamily of enzymes that are involved in biotransformation of drugs, xenobiotics and play a fundamental role in the protection of cells from oxidative stress. In humans, the recently described GST Omega class contains two expressed genes GSTO1 and GSTO2, located on chromosome 10 (10q24.3). Four polymorphisms in GSTO genes have been identified in ethnic groups: GSTO1*A140D (rs4925), GSTO1*E155del (rs56204475), GSTO1*E208K (rs11509438) and GSTO2*N142D (rs156697). This study provides the allele frequencies of GSTO polymorphism in a sample consisting of 116 apparently healthy individuals of both sexes from Rome (Central Italy). Detection of GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D alleles was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis, while GSTO1*E155del and GSTO1*E208K alleles were detected using the Confronting Two-Pair Primers analysis (PCR-CTPP) and allele specific PCR, respectively. The GSTO allele frequencies found in the Italian sample were included in the variability range observed in European populations. Comparison between the data presented in this study and data in previous studies showed different patterns among European, Asian and African populations.

Keywords::

• Glutathione S-transferase Omega class
• GSTO1*A140D polymorphism
• GSTO1*E155del polymorphism
• GSTO1*E208K polymorphism
• GSTO2*N142D polymorphism
• Italian population

Acknowledgements

We thank Martin Bennett for the English proofreading of the manuscript. This research was supported by a grant from the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’ (RSA 2008) allotted to M. F. All interviews were conducted in accordance with Italian law which guarantees individual privacy. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.