Allelic variation of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in Haryana population

The glutathione S-transferase mu (GSTM1) and theta (GSTT1) members of the GST multigene family are polymorphic in human populations, and homozygous deletions or null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes have been reported in different populations. Epidemiological studies suggest that individuals who are homozygous null at the GSTM1 or GSTT1 loci may have an increased risk of cancer; therefore, the distribution of these genotypes in the human population is of great interest. The aim of our study was to investigate the allelic variations of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in 308 healthy, unrelated individuals from the state of Haryana in India. The participants were genotyped for the presence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. On the basis of the results from our findings, we found that, in the geographic region of our study (India), 40.58% of individuals are carriers of the GSTM1 0/0 (null) genotype, whereas 32.79% of individuals have the GSTT1 0/0 (null) genotype. This study contributes significant information on the variability of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in the worldwide population and could increase knowledge about the relationship between ethnicity and the prevalence of certain diseases.