Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2006 Jun;26(2):115-121.

Association of Polymorphism in the Promoter Area of Leukotriene C4 Synthase Gene with Aspirin-Intolerant Asthma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase associated protein and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthase are enzymes involved in the synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes which are known to be important lipid mediators for the development of aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). Several studies have evaluated genetic association between polymorphisms of these enzymes and AIA, reporting inconsistent results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the genetic effect of polymorphisms of promoter areas of ALOX5, ALOX5AP and LTC4S genes in the development of AIA. METHOD: Polymorphisms in promoter areas of ALOX5 (-1761G >A, -1708G>A), ALOX5AP (21A/18A repeat) and LTC4S (-444A>C) were genotyped in patients with AIA (n=44), aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA, n=104), and healthy-normal controls (NC, n=107). RESULT: The frequency of LTC4S -444 AC or CC alleles was significantly lower in AIA patients than in ATA patients (19.0% vs. 36.5%, P=0.005, OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.08~0.64). However, the frequency of these genotypes was not different between AIA and NC (19.0% vs. 24.8%, P=0.458). As to LOX5 -1761G>A, -1708G>A, and ALOX5AP 21A/18A repeat, the frequency of these genotypes was not different between AIA and ATA patients and between AIA and NC.
CONCLUSION
A significant association was found between LTC4S -444A>C and the frequency of AIA. This finding suggests that LTC4 synthase may be involved in the development of AIA in the Korean population.

MeSH Terms

Alleles
Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
Asthma*
Genotype
Humans
Leukotriene C4*
Leukotrienes
Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
Leukotriene C4
Leukotrienes