Polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases M1, T1, P1 and A1 genes in the Tunisian population: An intra and interethnic comparative approach

Genetic polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) genes might influence the detoxification activities of the enzymes predisposing individuals to cancer risk. Owing to the presence of these genetic variants, inter-individual and ethnic differences in GSTs detoxification capacity have been observed in various populations. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the prevalence GSTM1*0/*0, GSTT1*0/*0, GSTP1 Ile105Val, and GSTA1*A/*B polymorphisms in 154 healthy individuals from South Tunisia, and to compare them with those observed in North and Centre Tunisian populations and other ethnic groups. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by a Multiplex-PCR approach, whereas GSTP1 and GSTA1 polymorphisms were examined by PCR-RFLP. The frequencies of GSTM1*0/*0 and GSTT1*0/*0 genotypes were 53.9% and 27.9%, respectively. The genotype distribution of GSTP1 was 47.4% (Ile/Ile), 40.9% (Ile/Val), and 11.7% (Val/Val). For GSTA1, the genotype distribution was 24.7% (*A/*A), 53.9% (*A/*B), and 21.4% (*B/*B). The combined genotypes distribution of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTA1 polymorphisms showed that thirty one of the 36 possible genotypes were present in our population; eight of them have a frequency greater than 5%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of GSTs polymorphisms in South Tunisian population. Our findings demonstrate the impact of ethnicity and reveal a characteristic pattern for Tunisian population. The molecular studies in these enzymes provide basis for further epidemiological investigations in the population where these functional polymorphisms alter therapeutic response and act as susceptibility markers for various clinical conditions.

► The genetic polymorphisms in GSTs genes might influence their activities.
► Intra/interethnic differences have been known in the prevalence of GSTs polymorphisms.
► Southern Tunisians were genotyped for the major four GSTs polymorphisms.
► Results show a characteristic pattern for Southern Tunisia population.
► The data may provide a basic database for the future clinical and genetic studies.