Diversity and relationship between Iranian ethnic groups: Human dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) VNTR genotyping

The 40-bp VNTR polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region of the human DAT1 (dopamine transporter 1) was analyzed in the Iranian ethnic groups in order to examine the influence of geographical and linguistic affiliation on the genetic affinities among the Iranian population. A total of 449 subjects belonging to nine ethnic groups from the Iranian population were included in the study. The screening of 898 chromosomes showed five alleles (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11), of which allele 10 revealed the highest frequency in most regions. Allele 8 was predominant in one ethnicity and occurred more frequently in the center of Iran. This study shows that the DAT1 distribution in Iran has a different pattern from those in other studies, which can contribute to an understanding of differentiation and diversity of Iranian ethnic groups. This polymorphism could represent the genetic diversity among the various ethnic groups of Iran. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Aberrant DNA Methylation of Two Tumor Suppressor Genes, p14ARF and p15INK4b, after Chronic Occupational Exposure to Low Level of Benzene

Background: Exposure to benzene would be associated with many diseases including leukemia. Epigenetic alterations seem to be among the main mechanisms involved. Objective: To determine if chronic occupational exposure to low level of benzene would be associated with DNA methylation. Methods: Global DNA methylation and promoter-specific methylation of the two tumor suppressor genes, p14ARF and p15INK4b, were assessed employing methylation-specific PCR using the DNA extracted from 40 petrochemical workers exposed to ambient benzene levels of <1 ppm, and 31 office workers not exposed to benzene or its derivatives. Results: While an increase in global DNA methylation of 5% in p14ARF (p=0.501) and 28% in p15INK4b (p=0.02) genes was observed in the exposed group, no hypermethylation in either of the studied genes was observed in the unexposed group. No significant association was found between the frequency of aberrant methylation and either of age, work experience, and smoking habit in the exposed group. Conclusion: Chronic occupational exposure to lower than the permissible exposure limit of benzene may still result in DNA methylation of tumor suppressor genes that may ultimately lead to development of cancer

Variation of DAT1 VNTR alleles and genotypes among old ethnic groups in Mesopotamia to the Oxus region

Variation of a VNTR in the DAT1 gene in seven ethnic groups of the Middle East was used to infer the history and affinities of these groups. The populations consisted of Assyrian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Armenian, Turkmen, and Arab peoples of Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait. Three hundred forty subjects from these seven ethnic groups were screened for DAT1. DAT1 VNTR genotyping showed 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 alleles in the samples. Analysis of these data revealed differentiation and relationship among the populations. In this region, which covers an area of 2-2.5 million km2, the influence of geography and especially of linguistic characteristics has had potentially major effects on differentiation. Religion also has played a major role in imposing restrictions on some ethnic groups, who as a consequence have maintained their community. Overall, these ethnic groups showed greater heterogeneity compared to other populations. Copyright © 2008 Wayne State University Press