title: Polymorphism of SLC11A1 (formerly NRAMP1) gene confers susceptibility to Kawasaki disease.
abstract: Since its first description in Japan >30 years ago, Kawasaki disease (KD) has been reported worldwide. Although an infectious etiology is suspected based on the epidemiology and clinical features, a causative agent has not been identified. The disease is more frequent in children of Japanese ancestry, and siblings of children with KD have a significantly greater risk of developing KD than do children of the same age in the general population. This suggests a possible genetic susceptibility to KD. Results of this study showed that allele 1 of the 5' promoter (GT)n repeat in the SLC11A1 (formerly NRAMP1) gene, which endows the gene with a weak promoter activity, was highly represented in patients with KD. This suggests possible explanations for both the infectious etiology of this disease and the genetic risk in the Japanese population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan. kouchi@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazunobu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ouchi
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shirakawa
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kishi
mesh_terms: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D000099173:Natural Resistance-associated Macrophage Protein 1