Distribution of VDR Gene Polymorphisms in Northern Eurasia Populations

Main Article Content

Andrey I. Kozlov, MD, Dr.Sci. Galina G. Vershubskaya, Researcher Elena G. Nagornaya, Senior Lecturer Maria M. Voronina, Resident Vladimir Yu. Pylev, General Manager Elena V. Balanovska, Dr.Sci, Professor

Abstract

Maintaining bone health involves a complex balance of factors, including the intake and absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. These processes are influenced by the presence of vitamin D and its receptor (VDR). The VDR gene is essential for regulating these processes, and variations in the gene can impact bone density and susceptibility to diseases.


This study aimed to analyze the frequencies of potentially “risky” alleles C*ApaI (rs7975232), G*BsmI (rs1544410), A*TaqI (rs731236) and G*FokI (rs2228570) in ethnic groups of Northeastern Europe, Central and Northern Asia, taking into account their origin and local environmental features (latitude and UV-B radiation). The analysis included 3,464 DNA samples from 96 geographic locations, representing 70 populations.


The study revealed distinct differences in the distribution of VDR polymorphisms between European and Asian populations. In European populations, the frequencies of the G*BsmI and C*ApaI alleles increased with higher latitudes and lower UV-B radiation levels during winter months (Rsp=0.356 and Rsp=0.327, respectively, p<0.05). Conversely, the frequency of the G*FokI allele decreased with higher latitudes and lower UV-B radiation levels (Rsp=-0.537, p<0.001). No significant correlations were observed in Asian populations.


These interpopulational differences in VDR polymorphism frequencies can be attributed to selection pressure to eliminate maladaptive variants. The study concludes that populations in Northeastern Europe, Central Asia, and Northern Asia exhibit significant variation in the frequencies of these potentially “risky” VDR gene alleles.


The results highlight the importance of environmental factor, such as UV-B radiation, in maintaining bone tissue health. Further research is necessary to elucidate the roles of diet and other factors in the metabolic chain ensuring bone health, particularly in understanding the observed ethnic and regional differences.

Keywords: vitamin D receptor, mineral metabolism in bone, genetic diversity, ultraviolet radiation, European populations, Asian populations

Article Details

How to Cite
KOZLOV, Andrey I. et al. Distribution of VDR Gene Polymorphisms in Northern Eurasia Populations. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 12, n. 10, oct. 2024. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5897>. Date accessed: 15 nov. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i10.5897.
Section
Research Articles

References

1. Göring H. Vitamin D in Nature: A product of synthesis and/or degradation of cell membrane components. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2018;83(11): 1350-1357. DOI: 10.1134/S0006297918110056.

2. Lips P. Which circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is appropriate? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004;89-90:611-614.

3. Holick M. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:266-281.

4. Daiger S, Schanfield M, Cavalli-Sforza L. Group-specific component (Gc) proteins bind vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1975;72(6):2076-2080. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.72.6.2076 .

5. Uitterlinden A, Ralston S, Brandi M, et al. The association between common vitamin D receptor gene variations and osteoporosis: A participant-level meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145 (4):255-264.

6. Banjabi A, Al-Ghafari A, Kumosani T, et al. Genetic influence of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on osteoporosis risk. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2020;14(4): 22-28.

7. Uitterlinden A, Fang Y, van Meurs J, et al. Genetics and biology of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms: Review. Gene. 2004;338:143-156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.

8. Randerson-Moor J, Taylor J, Elliott F, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and melanoma: UK case-control comparisons and a meta-analysis of published VDR data. Eur J Cancer. 2009;45(18):327 1-3281. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2009.06.011.

9. Mahto H, Tripathy R, Das B, Panda A. Association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in an Indian cohort. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018;21:468-476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1756-185X.13245

10. Triantos C, Aggeletopoulou I, Kalafateli M, et al. Prognostic significance of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in liver cirrhosis. Sci Rep. 2018;8:14065. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32482-3

11. Ansari M, Mohammed A, Wani K, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene variants susceptible to osteoporosis in Arab post-menopausal women. Curr Iss Mol Biol. 2021;43(3):1325-1334. DOI: 10.3 390/cimb43030094.

12. SACN Vitamin D and Health Report. Published July 21, 2016. Accessed August 10, 2024. DOI: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a804e36ed915d74e622dafa

13. Pakpahan C, Wungu C, Agustinus A, Darmadi D. Do Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms affect bone mass density in men?: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Ageing Res Rev. 2022; 75:101571. DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101571.

14. Arai H, Miyamoto K-I, Taketani Y., et al. Vitamin D Receptor gene polymorphism in the translation initiation codon: Effect on protein activity and relation to bone mineral density in Japanese women. J Bone Mineral Res. 1997;12(6):915–921. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1359/jbmr.1997.12.6.915

15. Marozik P. Tamulaitiene M, Rudenka E, et al. Association of Vitamin D Receptor gene variation with osteoporosis risk in Belarusian and Lithuanian postmenopausal women. Front Endocrinol. 2018;9 :305. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00305

16. Zerwekh J. Blood biomarkers of vitamin D status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(Suppl.):1087S-1091S.

17. Beckmann M, Václavík T, Manceur A, et al. glUV: A global UV-B radiation dataset for macroecological studies. Methods Ecol Evol. 2014;5:372–383.

18. Zmuda J. Cauley J, Ferrell R. Molecular epidemiology of vitamin D receptor gene variants. Epidem Rev. 2000;22(2):203-217.

19. Ji G-R, Yao M, Sun C-Y, et al. BsmI, TaqI, ApaI and FokI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and risk of fracture in Caucasians: A meta-analysis. Bone. 2010;47(3):681-686.

20. Xu G, Mei Q, Zhou D, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene and aggrecan gene polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration – a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2012;7:e50243.

21. Kozlov A, Vershubsky G, Ateeva Yu, et al. Association of vitamin D receptor gene with anthropometric measures in Komi ethnic group. Russ J Genet: Appl Res. 2014;4(5):397–404.

22. Grundberg E, Brandstrom H, Ribom E, et al., Genetic variation in the human vitamin D receptor is associated with muscle strength, fat mass and body weight in Swedish women. Eur J Endocrinol. 2004;150:323–328.

23. Fang Y., van Meurs J, Rivadeneira F, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene haplotype is associated with body height and bone size. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(4):1491–1501.

24. Todhunter C, Sutherland-Craggs A, Bartram S, et alP. Influence of IL-6, COL1A1, and VDR gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density in Crohn’s disease. Gut. 2005;54:1579-1584 doi:10.1136/gut. 2005.064212

25. Ye W-Z, Reis A, Dubois-Laforge D, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with obesity in type 2 diabetic subjects with early age of onset. Eur J Endocrinol. 2001;145:181-186.

26. Ferrara M, Matarese S, Francese M, et al. Effect of VDR polymorphisms on growth and bone mineral density in homozygous beta thalassaemia. Brit J Haematol. 2002;117: 436–440.

27. Özaydin E, Dayangac-Erden D, Erdem-Yurter H, et al. The relationship between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and bone density, osteocalcin level and growth in adolescents. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metabol. 2010;23(5):491–496.

28. Vupputuri M, Goswami R, Gupta N, et al. Prevalence and functional significance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in Asian Indians. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83:1411-1419.

29. Mathieson I, Lazaridis I, Rohland N, et al. Genome-wide patterns of selection in 230 ancient Eurasians. Nature. 2015; 528:499–503. DOI: 10.10 38/nature16152.

30. Kozlov A, Vershubskaya G. Blood serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d in various populations of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus: a systematic review with elements of meta-analysis. Hum Physiol. 2017;43( 6):135-146.

31. Kozlov A, Vershubskaya G. Systematic review on vitamin D levels in various populations of the Russian North. Hum Physiol. 2019;45(5):565-575.

32. Rejnmark L, Jorgensen M, Pedersen M, et al. Vitamin D insufficiency in Greenlanders on a westernized fare: ethnic differences in calcitropic hormones between Greenlanders and Danes. Calcif Tissue Int. 2004;3:255-263.

33. Kozlov A, Khabarova Yu, Vershubsky G, et al. Vitamin D status of northern indigenous people of Russia leading traditional and ‘‘modernized’’ way of life. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2014;73:26038. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v73.26038.