Why the study?
Does the D allele frequency of the ACE gene differ between Australian Aboriginals and Caucasians, and does it influence renal disease in Aboriginals?
Does the D allele frequency of the ACE gene differ between Australian Aboriginals and Caucasians, and does it influence renal disease in Aboriginals?
The D allele of the ACE gene occurs at a very low frequency in Australian Aboriginals and likely has little to no influence on their high rates of renal disease.
Low ACE D allele frequency in Aboriginals suggests minimal role in renal disease; leaves open other genetic or environmental factors.
BACKGROUND: The DD genotype of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene appears to be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy and an increased incidence and rate of progression of renal disease. The high incidence of renal disease and end-stage renal failure in the Australian Aboriginal population has prompted investigation of ACE genotypes in these people. METHODS: ACE genotypes were determined in four groups: (i) normal Australian Caucasian blood donors (n = 100), (ii) Caucasian renal transplant recipients (n = 173), (iii) normal Australian Aboriginals from a single tribe (n = 184), and (iv) Australian Aboriginals included in the renal-transplant programme (n = 94). FINDINGS: The D allele frequency in the normal Australian Caucasian (54.5%) and renal transplant groups (57.2%) was similar. However, the D allele frequency in the normal Australian Aboriginal (3%) and Aboriginal renal patient group (14.4%) was significantly lower than both Caucasian groups. INTERPRETATION: The D allele of the ACE gene has little or no influence on the renal disease of Australian Aboriginals.
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Susan Lester (1999) studied this question.
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