1. ¹Laboratory of Respiratory Biology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, NC, USA
2. ²National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
3. ³Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico
4. ⁴Core Genotyping Facility, Advanced Technology Center, National Cancer Institute, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
5. ⁵Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, NC, USA

Correspondence: Dr SJ London, Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 TW Alexander Drive, PO Box 12233, MD A3-05, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. E-mail: london2@niehs.nih.gov

Received 19 December 2007; Revised 4 February 2008; Accepted 4 February 2008; Published online 13 March 2008.

Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptor for asthma susceptibility (GPRA or GPR154) was identified as an asthma and atopy candidate gene by positional cloning. Some subsequent studies suggest associations of GPRA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes with asthma or atopy susceptibility. However, the associated SNPs or haplotypes vary among studies. The role of GPRA genetic variation in asthma and atopy remains unsolved. Published data on GRPA variants and asthma come exclusively from Caucasian and Asian populations. We examined whether GPRA SNPs and haplotypes are associated with asthma and atopy in a Mexican population. We genotyped and analyzed 27 GPRA SNPs in 589 nuclear families consisting of asthmatic children aged 4–17 years of age and their parents in Mexico City. Atopy was determined by skin prick tests to 25 aeroallergens. The 27 SNPs examined provided excellent coverage of the GPRA gene. GPRA SNPs and haplotypes were not associated with childhood asthma and the degree of atopy to aeroallergens in a Mexican population. Our review of studies of GPRA variants in relation to asthma phenotypes shows considerable heterogeneity. Accordingly, our results suggest that GPRA variants are not an important contributor to childhood asthma and atopy susceptibility in a Mexican population.