Association between calcium-sensing receptor gene polymorphisms and recurrent calcium kidney stone disease: A comprehensive gene analysis

Abstract

Objective. Comprehensive sequencing of the coding exons of the calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR) was performed in a group of Iranian recurrent calcium kidney stone-formers and the results were compared with a control group. Material and methods. Serum and urine parameters were evaluated in 99 males aged between 30 and 55 years old with idiopathic recurrent calcium urolithiasis and in 107 men as a control group. Products of polymerase chain reaction were sequenced using forward primer until a mutation was found in that exon. Then, other cases were analysed by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Results. Four polymorphisms were detected in CASR exons, all in the coding region of exon 7. These polymorphisms and their minor allele frequency were P748P (100%), A986S (1%), R990G (3%) and E1011Q (98%). There was a significantly higher count of 986S (p = 0.006), 990G (p = 0.006) and E1011 (p = 0.02) alleles in patients. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 2.55 (1.31–4.96) in those at risk of stone disease for the 986S allele and 8.06 (1.80–35.9) for the 990G allele. Men with the RR genotype at R990G showed a significantly higher serum ionized calcium than the RG or GG group (p = 0.03). A significantly lower serum total calcium was found in subjects with the QQ than the EQ genotype with respect to the 1011 locus (p = 0.005). Furthermore, the 1011Q allele was marginally associated with hypercalciuria (p = 0.05). Conclusion. The 986S, 990G and 1011Q alleles were associated with a recurrent calcium kidney stone-forming state. 986S and 1011Q alleles, but not 986S, were associated with hypercalcaemia.

Key Words::

• Calcium kidney stone
• calcium-sensing receptor
• genetic association
• polymorphism

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Special Medical Center (Charity Foundation for Special Diseases), IR Iran, and Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti Medical University.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.