DNMT3B-579G>T (rs1569686G>T) polymorphism and the risk of multiple sclerosis in a subset of Iranian population

Background: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B) gene encodes an MT enzyme involving in de novo methylation of DNA. The present investigation aimed to explore the association of DNMT3B-579G>T (rs1569686) polymorphism with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: 130 Iranian patients with MS and 130 controls were genotyped for the DNMT3B-579G>T using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: There was no statistically significant association between DNMT3B-579G>T and susceptibility to MS. The alleles and genotypes of DNMT3B-579G>T did not have different risks of MS development under various models [T vs. G (P = 0.86); GTvs. GG (P = 0.48); TT vs. GG (P > 0.99); GT+TT vs. GG (P = 0.60), and TT vs. GG+GT (P = 0.87)]. Also, there was no statistically significant association between genotypes and clinical and demographic characteristics of patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The current findings suggest that DNMT3B-579G>T is probably not a crucial potential risk marker in molecular diagnostics of MS among Iranian. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first genetic association study about the DNMT3B polymorphisms and MS. Therefore, further surveys should be included to estimate the exact relevance of DNMT3B gene to the development of autoimmune disorders like MS.