Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Abstract

Propensity for DNA Damage in Psoriasis Patients Genotyped for Two Candidate Genes

G. Gandhi, Premjot Singh Girgila, Ramesh K. Aggarwal and Brinderjit Singh Buttar

Studies assessing genetic damage and its association with disease-candidate genes in patients belonging to geographically distinct populations are scanty. The present study evaluated DNA damage using the alkaline Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay in peripheral blood leukocytes of Psoriasis Punjabi Patients on systemic-topical therapy who had been genotyped for two disease-candidate genes (HLA-C, human leukocyte antigen and the coiled-coil alpha-helical rod protein 1(CCHCR1). Genetic damage was disease gene-influenced as homozygous mutants for CCHCR1 Exon 4 site 386* (C→T) and heterozygous mutants for 404* (C→T) alleles had significantly more damage (p<0.05) compared to respective homozygous wild types. The arginine to tryptophan substitution alters the protein, triggering keratinocyte proliferation and probably inflammation/ oxidative stress. This along with drug-treatment probably caused the observed DNA damage. Population sub-groups had no within group differences but larger sizes can explore this possibility. Studies of this type can provide disease-gene-damage prone information for exploring DNA- safe therapeutics.