Genetic preservation of SLC22A3 in the Admixed and Xhosa populations living in the Western Cape

Background: Amphiphilic solute facilitator organic cation transporters mediate the movement of various endogenous and exogenous organic cations, including crucial drugs like metformin, oxaliplatin, and lamivudine. These transporters are now seen as a potential explanation for inter-individual differences in drug effectiveness, contributing to 15-30% of such variability due to genetic factors.The aim of this study was to determine the baseline minor allele frequency distribution of 18 known coding SNPs in the SLC22A3 gene of 278 Cape Admixed (130) and Xhosa (148) individuals residing in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods: A convenience sampling method was used for sample collection. DNA extraction and subsequent amplification of target sites was carried out according to standard established methodologies. All genotyping was performed using the SNaPshot™ mini-seuqencing platform.

Results: This study found no genetic polymorphisms in the coding region of the SLC22A3 gene of both the Xhosa and Cape Admixed individuals investigated.

Conclusion: This study has shown that SLC22A3 coding SNPs observed in other populations are absent in the sample of both Cape Admixed and Xhosa individuals studied. The lack of protein sequence variation was consistent with other studies and may reflect the significant physiological role of human organic cation transporter 3 in maintaining cellular and organismal homeostasis.