Genotyping by"cold single-strand conformation polymorphism" of the UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism in Mexican mestizos.

Since no data have previously been reported concerning both the (TA) n polymorphism at the promoter of the UGT1A1 gene in the Mexican population and the use of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) for the detection of such polymorphism, genotyping by SSCP in 375 G-6-PD normal (Group A) and 81 G-6-PD-deficient (Group B) mestizos belonging to 14 states was carried out. Allele frequencies for (TA)6 and (TA)7 repeats were 0.654 and 0.334, respectively, in Group A and 0.685 and 0.315 in Group B; in the former group, the (TA)5 allele was also observed with a frequency of 0.012. The frequencies of the genotype (TA)7/(TA)7 were 10.1% (Group A) and 8.6% (Group B). The (TA)7/(TA)8 genotype was also observed in a patient with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Due to the importance of its potential medical implications, the observed high frequency (10%) of the (TA)7/(TA)7 genotype is stressed. Genotyping by SSCP of the (TA) n polymorphism is an adequate methodological option.