title: Mutations of the human interferon alpha-2b (hIFNα-2b) gene in low-dose natural terrestrial ionizing radiation exposed dwellers.
abstract: Natural terrestrial ionizing radiations emerge from uranium deposits and can impact human tissues by affecting DNA bases which constitute genes. Human interferon alpha-2b (hIFNα-2b) gene synthesizes a protein which exhibits anticancerous, immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative and antiviral properties. This research aimed to find out hIFNα-2b gene mutations for those residents who were chronically exposed to low-dose natural terrestrial ionizing radiations. The gene amplifications was done through PCR technique and gene mutations were identified by bioinformatics in order to conclude as to how mutations identified in hIFNα-2b gene sequences will lead to alterations in the hIFNα-2b protein in radiation exposed residents. The range of radiation dose exposure was 0.4383-4.55832 (mSv/y) for the selected radiation exposed locations which were having uranium mineralization. Mutations (24%) in hIFNα-2b gene shows that some of the radiation exposed inhabitants were having a modulated immune response. The CBC (Complete Blood Count) parameters: WBC (White Blood Cells), MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin), MCHC (MCH Concentration) and PLT (Platelets) on average were below the normal range in 24% radiation exposed subjects who were having hIFNα-2b gene mutations. Immunomodulation is observed by the mixed trend of either lymphocytosis or lymphopenia and neutropenia or neutrophilia in the exposed population. Thus, a radioactive exposure from uranium can affect the immune system and can induce mutations.
authors.affiliation: National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES), Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), Lahore, Pakistan. Electronic address: saman.shahid@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences and Chemical Pathology & Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nasir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.affiliation: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Nawaz
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nauman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001417:Background Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
keywords: Immunity; Interferon; Mutations; Terrestrial ionizing radiations