title: Phenotyping of individuals sensitive to suxamethonium. The Cholinesterase Research Unit at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School.
abstract: Four hundred and thirty blood samples from suxamethonium-sensitive individuals have been phenotyped by the Cholinesterase Research Unit following its transfer from Exeter to the Hammersmith Hospital. The distribution of genotypes has been shown to be similar to that found in Exeter. Screening for the Elk and Elj genes has not yielded any major differences in the gene frequencies of sensitive individuals, even during pregnancy. The uneven sex distribution of the patients, as well as other unusual points that have arisen, are discussed. A new gene for the biosynthesis of cholinesterase has probably been identified.
mesh_terms: D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000235:genetics; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002802:Cholinesterases; D013390:Succinylcholine