title: Analysis of polymorphisms in the lactotransferrin gene promoter and dental caries.
abstract: Regarding host aspects, there has been strong evidence for a genetic component in the etiology of caries. The salivary protein lactotransferrin (LTF) exhibits antibacterial activity, but there is no study investigating the association of polymorphisms in the promoter region of LTF gene with caries. The objective of this study was firstly to search the promoter region of the human LTF gene for variations and, if existent, to investigate the association of the identified polymorphisms with dental caries in 12-year-old students. From 687 unrelated, 12-year-old, both sex students, 50 individuals were selected and divided into two groups of extreme phenotypes according to caries experience: 25 students without (DMFT = 0) and 25 with caries experience (DMFT ≥ 4). The selection of individuals with extreme phenotypes augments the chances to find gene variations which could be associated with such phenotypes. LTF gene-putative promoter region (+39 to -1143) of the selected 50 individuals was analyzed by high-resolution melting technique. Fifteen students, 8 without (DMFT = 0) and 7 with caries experience (mean DMFT = 6.28), presented deviations of the pattern curve suggestive of gene variations and were sequenced. However, no polymorphisms were identified in the putative promoter region of the LTF gene.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Imaculada Conceição Street 1155, 80215-901 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Armando
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brancher
authors.forename: Giovana Daniela
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Pecharki
authors.forename: Andrea Duarte
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Doetzer
authors.forename: Kamilla Gabriella Dos Santos
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cordeiro Júnior
authors.forename: Vanessa Santos
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Sotomaior
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Paula Cristina
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Trevilatto