RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NOS2 and NOS3 genes are associated with exhaled nitric oxide
JF Journal of Medical Genetics
JO J Med Genet
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 200
OP 205
DO 10.1136/jmedgenet-2011-100584
VO 49
IS 3
A1 Santosh Dahgam
A1 Fredrik Nyberg
A1 Lars Modig
A1 Åsa Torinsson Naluai
A1 Anna-Carin Olin
YR 2012
UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/49/3/200.abstract
AB Background Polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase genes (NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3) have been suggested to have a major impact on fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), a biomarker of airway inflammation. However, the genetic contribution of NOS polymorphisms to FENO is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate comprehensively the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all three NOS genes and FENO in an adult population, and to assess whether such associations are modified by asthma or atopy.Method In 1737 adults from a Swedish general population sample, FENO was measured and genetic variation in the NOS genes was assessed using 49 SNPs. The genetic effect of NOS polymorphisms on FENO, asthma, and atopy was estimated using multiple regression methods.Results In a multi-SNP model based on stepwise regression analysis, two SNPs in NOS2 and one in NOS3 showed independent associations with levels of FENO. For NOS2 SNP rs9901734, subjects had 5.3% (95% CI 1.0% to 9.7%) higher levels of FENO per G allele, and for rs3729508, subjects with CC or CT genotypes had 9.4% (95% CI 3.1% to 15.2%) higher levels compared with TT. For NOS3 SNP rs7830, subjects with GT or TT had 5.6% (95% CI 0.4% to 11.1%) higher levels than GG; the genetic effect of this SNP was stronger in asthmatics (21.9%, 95% CI 4.6% to 42.0%).Conclusion These results suggest that NOS2 is the major NOS gene determining variability in exhaled nitric oxide in the healthy adult population, while NOS3 may play a more important role in asthmatic adults.