Genetic analyses of thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphisms in Greenlandic and Danish populations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) low-activity alleles in the Greenlandic and Danish populations.


METHODS
142 Greenlandic individuals and 200 Danish blood donors were screened for the TPMT G460A and A719G low-activity alleles.


RESULTS
Thiopurine methyltransferase low-activity alleles were significantly higher in the Greenlandic compared to the Danish population, being 8.1% (95% CI 4.9-11.3) and 3.5% (95% CI 1.7-5.3) (p<0.01), respectively. Except for one Danish patient with an A719G allele (TPMT*3C), all the aberrant alleles were compound G460A and A719G alleles (TPMT*3A).


CONCLUSIONS
In the Danish population, the incidence of thiopurine methyltransferase low-activity alleles was found to be similar to other Caucasian populations previously described. In contrast, the Greenlandic population showed a significantly higher frequency of thiopurine methyltransferase low-activity alleles.
Toft
Nina
N
Bonkolab 5704, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. ninatoft@yahoo.com
Nygaard
Ulrikka
U
Gregers
Jannie
J
Schmiegelow
Kjeld
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D008780:Methyltransferases; C022745:thiopurine methyltransferase