title: Relevance and implication of genetic determinants to asthma pathophysiology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found to be associated with asthma and related phenotypes outnumbers those with functional impacts. In this review we briefly described some of the approaches used to investigate functionality of SNPs, and summarized recent findings related to the characterization of functional SNPs in asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For disease-associated SNPs residing in the promoter or 3' untranslated regions, differential protein binding affinity between the major and minor alleles is often the first logical area of investigation. In this review, we described SNPs associated with asthma or related phenotypes in five genes which in the past 12 months have new data implicating potential mechanisms in asthma development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variability in treatment responses poses a great challenge in asthma management. It is established that the genetic makeup of individuals plays a role in asthma development, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. Investigations on the functional impacts of disease-associated SNPs will help us gain insights into potential disease mechanisms, and ultimately lead to effective therapies for those who suffer from asthma.
authors.affiliation: Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Audrey.poon@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Augusto A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Litonjua
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laprise
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011485:Protein Binding; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / Q000235:genetics; D000081025:Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C464399:ORMDL3 protein, human; C493258:PHF11 protein, human; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid; C477362:S1PR1 protein, human; D000081025:Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors; D013925:Thromboplastin