Comprehensive screening for reg1α gene rules out association with tropical calcifi c pancreatitis

AIM: To investigate the allelic and haplotypic association of reg1α gene with tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP). Since TCP is known to have a variable genetic basis, we investigated the interaction between mutations in the susceptibility genes, SPINK1 and CTSB with reg1α polymorphisms. METHODS: We analyzed the polymorphisms in the reg1α gene by sequencing the gene including its promoter region in 195 TCP patients and 150 ethnically matched controls, compared their allele and haplotype frequencies, and their association with the pathogenesis and pancreaticolithiasis in TCP and fibro-calculous pancreatic diabetes. RESULTS: We found 8 reported and 2 novel polymorphisms including an insertion-deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of reg1α . None of the 5’ UTR variants altered any known transcription factor binding sites, neither did any show a statistically significant association with TCP. No association with any reg1α variants was observed on dichotomization of patients based on their N34S SPINK1 or L26V CTSB status. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in reg1α gene, including the regulatory variants singly or in combination with the known mutations in SPINK1 and/or CTSB genes, are not associated with tropical calcifi c pancreatitis. © 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.