N-acetyl transferase genotypes in relation to risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between N-acetyl transferase (NAT) genotype (NAT1 and NAT2) and risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
DNA samples were collected from 243 recently diagnosed cases and 298 controls enrolled in a population based case-control study conducted in 60 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA.


RESULTS
There was no association between SLE and NAT1 genotype (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.65, 1.4 for the presence of a *10 allele) or NAT2 genotype (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.73, 1.6 for the slow- compared with fast-acetylation genotype). We saw some evidence of interaction between NAT genotypes and use of hair dyes (a source of arylamines), with higher risk seen among hair dye users who had both the *10 NAT1 allele and the NAT2 slow-acetylation genotype (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2, 6.9 in this subgroup compared with all others).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that although there is little overall association between NAT genotypes and risk of developing SLE, the interaction between NAT1 and NAT2 and specific exposures such as hair dyes may be important. This finding highlights the need to consider exposure when assessing genetic susceptibility.
Cooper
Glinda S
GS
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA. cooper1@niehs.nih.gov
Treadwell
Edward L
EL
Dooley
Mary Anne
MA
St Clair
E William
EW
Gilkeson
Gary S
GS
Taylor
Jack A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D006202:Hair Dyes; D007527:Isoenzymes; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C089384:N-acetyltransferase 1; C478900:NAT2 protein, human