GSTO and AS3MT genetic polymorphisms and differences in urinary arsenic concentrations among residents in Bangladesh

Abstract

We determined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the glutathione S-transferase omega (GSTO) and arsenic(III)methyltransferase (AS3MT) genes were associated with concentrations of urinary arsenic metabolites among 900 individuals without skin lesions in Bangladesh. Four SNPs were assessed in these genes. A pathway analysis evaluated the association between urinary arsenic metabolites and SNPs. GSTO1 rs4925 homozygous wild type was significantly associated with higher monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid urinary concentrations, whereas wild-type AS3MT rs11191439 had significantly lower levels of As^III and MMA. Genetic polymorphisms GSTO and As3MT modify arsenic metabolism as evidenced by altered urinary arsenic excretion.

Keywords::

• Pathway analysis
• arsenic metabolism
• drinking water

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all our colleagues and research staff at Dhaka Community Hospital and Pabna Community Clinic in Bangladesh. We also acknowledge Li Su, Rihong Zhai, and Chau-Chyun Sheu for their laboratory assistance.

Declaration of interest

This work was supported by the United States National Institute of Health grant T32 ES07069 and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grants # ES R01011622, ES P42016454, and ES 00002.