Meconium ileus in cystic fibrosis is not linked to central repetitive region length variation in MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC

J Cyst Fibros. 2014 Dec;13(6):613-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2014.05.005. Epub 2014 Jun 8.

Abstract

Background: Mucins are excellent candidates for contributing to the presence of meconium ileus (MI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) due to their extensive genetic variation and known function in intestinal physiology. The length of variants in mucin central repetitive regions has not been explored as "risk" factors for MI in CF.

Methods: We investigated the length polymorphisms in the central repetitive regions of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC by Southern blot and tested for association with MI in CF subjects.

Results: No significant associations were found for the allele sizes of any of the genes with respect to the prevalence of MI (p values=0.33, 0.16, and 0.71 for MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC, respectively).

Conclusions: The genetic length variants in the central repetitive region of three MUC genes studied are not associated with MI in subjects with CF.

Keywords: Genetic modifier; MUC1; MUC2; MUC5AC; Meconium ileus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Ileus / genetics*
  • Male
  • Meconium*
  • Mucin 5AC / genetics*
  • Mucin-1 / genetics*
  • Mucin-2 / genetics*
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MUC1 protein, human
  • MUC2 protein, human
  • MUC5AC protein, human
  • Mucin 5AC
  • Mucin-1
  • Mucin-2