Genetic Variation Associated with Hypersensitivity to Mercury

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Authors

  • David William Austin
     School of Psychology, Deakin University, Victoria ,AU
  • Briana Spolding
     Metabolic Research Unit, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria ,AU
  • Shakuntla Gondalia
     Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria ,AU
  • Kerrie Shandley
     School of Psychology, Deakin University, Victoria ,AU
  • Enzo A. Palombo
     Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria ,AU
  • Simon Knowles
     School of Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria ,AU
  • Ken Walder
     Metabolic Research Unit, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria ,AU

Keywords:

Genetics, mercury sensitivity, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, pink disease, paraoxanase 1
Phycology

Abstract

Objectives: Very little is known about mechanisms of idiosyncratic sensitivity to the damaging effects of mercury (Hg); however, there is likely a genetic component. The aim of the present study was to search for genetic variation in genes thought to be involved in Hg metabolism and transport in a group of individuals identified as having elevated Hg sensitivity compared to a normal control group. Materials and Methods: Survivors of pink disease (PD; infantile acrodynia) are a population of clinically identifiable individuals who are Hg sensitive. In the present study, single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes thought to be involved in Hg transport and metabolism were compared across two groups: (i) PD survivors (n = 25); and (ii) age"‘ and sex"‘matched healthy controls (n = 25). Results: Analyses revealed significant differences between groups in genotype frequencies for rs662 in the gene encoding paraoxanase 1 (PON1) and rs1801131 in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Conclusions: We have identified two genetic polymorphisms associated with increased sensitivity to Hg. Genetic variation in MTHFR and PON1 significantly differentiated a group formerly diagnosed with PD (a condition of Hg hypersensitivity) with age"‘ and gender"‘matched healthy controls.

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Published

2018-06-04

How to Cite

Austin, D. W., Spolding, B., Gondalia, S., Shandley, K., Palombo, E. A., Knowles, S., & Walder, K. (2018). Genetic Variation Associated with Hypersensitivity to Mercury. Toxicology International, 21(3), 236–241. Retrieved from https://informaticsjournals.co.in/index.php/toxi/article/view/21395

Issue

Volume 21, Issue 3, September - December 2014

Section

Original Research
Received 2018-05-31
Accepted 2018-05-31
Published 2018-06-04

 

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