Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics by ruth on June 22, 2006

Reseachers have identified a human gene that may play a role in determining resistance and susceptibility to tuberculosis, an infection with highest incidence rates in Africa (356 cases per 100,000). The same gene has been shown to control tuberculosis resistance in previous mice studies.

A genomic scan of 400 TB patients in Gambia, Guinea-Conakry and Guinea-Bissau, three versions of the gene SP110 has been shown to be associated with TB symptoms. These results, published in the latest issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, can be instrumental in explaining the epidemiology and possibly in defining strategies to control tuberculosis.

[Photo: Thin section transmission electron micrograph of the tubercle bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; from Wadsworth Center]

*updated on 29th June to indicate link to PNAS article. Credits go to GeneExpression for locating the elusive article.

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Permalink: Human Tuberculosis Gene

Tags: tuberculosis genomics

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Rating: 8.75 out of 8 vote(s) cast.

Response from: Hsien Lei (06/23/06 3:42pm)

The PNAS article dates back to 2000....

Response from: ruth (06/23/06 5:14pm)

Thanks for pointing it out, Hsien! I mistakenly linked to the previous study made by the same authors. Apparently, the new study is still embargoed (doi: 10.1073/pnas.0603340103). Meanwhile, refer to this report from EurekAlert:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/hsop-thg062206.php

I've edited the above entry to remove the link.

Response from: tony (07/04/06 3:35am)

Mutations in Sp110 have also been described in association with a combined immunodeficiency and hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VODI). No TB was reported in that cohort of patients. It also of interest that J Med Genet's most recent issue contains a report with the opposite SNP association study results to the PNAS paper.

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