Short mucin 6 alleles are associated with H pylori infection

World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Oct 7;12(37):6021-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i37.6021.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between mucin 6 (MUC6) VNTR length and H pylori infection.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients visiting the Can Tho General Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. DNA was isolated from whole blood, the repeated section was cut out using a restriction enzyme (Pvu II) and the length of the allele fragments was determined by Southern blotting. H pylori infection was diagnosed by (14)C urea breath test. For analysis, MUC6 allele fragment length was dichotomized as being either long (> 13.5 kbp) or short (< or = 13.5 kbp) and patients were classified according to genotype [long-long (LL), long-short (LS), short-short (SS)].

Results: 160 patients were studied (mean age 43 years, 36% were males, 58% H pylori positive). MUC6 Pvu II-restricted allele fragment lengths ranged from 7 to 19 kbp. Of the patients with the LL, LS, SS MUC6 genotype, 43% (24/56), 57% (25/58) and 76% (11/46) were infected with H pylori, respectively (P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Short MUC6 alleles are associated with H pylori infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles*
  • DNA / blood
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / genetics*
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minisatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Mucin-6
  • Mucins / genetics*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • MUC6 protein, human
  • Mucin-6
  • Mucins
  • DNA