Histamine genomics in silico: polymorphisms of the human genes involved in the synthesis, action and degradation of histamine.
BACKGROUND
Histamine is a ubiquitous biogenic amine involved in the regulation of numerous basic physiological and pathophysiological processes. The DNA sequences of the genes encoding proteins (enzymes and receptors) that participate in the synthesis, degradation and cellular binding of histamine are already identified.


OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the in silico available human sequences to find genetic polymorphisms in histamine-related genes (L-histidine decarboxylase, histamine receptors, histamine N-methyl transferase and diamine-oxidase), and compared these data with findings concerning structure-function relationships in order to get information about the possible pathophysiological relevance of these polymorphisms.


METHODS
Sequence analysis was performed at the National Center for Biotechnology Information Database. The search tool BLAST was applied.


RESULTS
Several sequence variations were found, and it is conceivable that some of these genetic polymorphisms may be related to various pathological conditions. Among sequence variations, variants with no amino acid change, variants resulting in amino acid alterations, and many nucleotide changes involving non-coding sequences were revealed.


CONCLUSIONS
Histamine genomics may provide a new tool for medical prediction and drug design in the future.
Igaz
Peter
P
2nd Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University Medical School, 1089 Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4, Hungary.
Fitzimons
Carlos P
CP
Szalai
Csaba
C
Falus
András
A
D006632:Histamine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000378:metabolism
D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D006632:Histamine