Objective: To detect mutations of beta chain of high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI-beta) gene and analyze the association between its mutation and asthma in people of Han nationality of southern China.
Methods: Amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to determine 3 mutations (I181L, V183L and E237G) at Fc epsilon RI-beta gene in 60 unrelated patients with asthma and 65 healthy controls from people of Han nationality of southern China.
Results: (1) The mutation V183L was not detected in patient and control groups. (2) The only one heterozygous for I181/L181 was found in patient group, and no homozygous for L181/L181. (3) The frequency of Glu237/Gly237 genotype is 18.3% in patient group, and 6.2% in control group. The frequency of Gly237 gene is 9.2% in patient group, and 3.1% in control group. (4) There was a significant difference in the frequencies of Glu237/Gly237 genotype and Gly237 gene.
Conclusion: These results suggest that E237G mutation of Fc epsilon RI-beta gene presents in people of Han nationality of southern China, and is correlated with asthma. There are the lack or very low frequencies of V183L and I181L mutations in people of Han nationality of southern China.