The analysis of Secretory Gene (Fucosyltransferase II): The relationship between the genotype of the Secretory Gene (Fucosyltransferase II) and the secretory phenotype of the saliva

Suh, In Bum; Lim, Chae Seung; Kim, Jang Su; Lee, Chang Kyu; Kim, Young Kee; Lee, Kap No

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The distinction between secretors and nonsecretors of ABH and Lewis substances is made by inhibiting an antiserum agglutinin reaction with saliva, but many variables such as ethnic group, Lewis and ABO genotype, saliva collection method and antiserum influence the detection of salivary substances. Human secretor (1,2) fucosyltransferase (FUT II) gene determines the ABH secretor status and influences the Lewis phenotype of an individual. The aim of this study is to comparison between the genotype of the secretory (FUT II) gene and the secretory phenotype of the saliva and evaluate the usefulness of genotyping secretory gene. METHOD: In order to explore the secretory genotypes, the 79 specimens were analyzed by the PCR-RFLP method designed for the detection of the A385T, the C357T and the G428A mutations of FUT II gene. Also, we performed secretory phenotyping of the saliva by hemagglutination inhibition test and compared between the genotype of FUT II gene and secretory phenotype of the saliva. RESULT: The frequencies of Se1, Se2 and sej among 158 alleles examined in a random sample were 11.1%, 40.5% and 48.4%. The frequencies of Se1/Se1, Se1/Se2, Se2/Se2, Se1/sej, Se2/sej and sej/sej among 158 genotypes were 3.2%, 3.2%, 20.3%, 12.7%, 37.3% and 23.4%. The frequencies of Secretor and nonsecretor phenotypes were 76.6% and 23.4%. There were 3 mismatch individuals between phenotype and genotype, all three cases were nonsecretor in phenotype but secretor (Se1/Se1, Se1/Se2, Se2/sej) in genotype.
CONCLUSION
PCR-RFLP method can be effectively used for the genotyping of the FUT II gene and offer an attractive alternative to the phenotype of secretor state using saliva.