Frequency of the mdr‐1 C>T gene polymorphism in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The multi‐drug resistant‐1 (MDR‐1) gene is located on human chromosome 7 and encodes a glycosylated membrane protein that is a member of the ATP‐binding cassette transporters superfamily. The aim of the study was to reveal the role of the C3435T MDR‐1 gene polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHOD: DNA samples from 41 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 50 healthy control participants were used to compare MDR‐1 gene profiles. Genotyping assays were performed using the StripAssay technique that is based on reverse‐hybridization. RESULTS: The T allele polymorphism in the MDR‐1 gene located at position 3435 in exon 26 was shown to correlate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the T allele polymorphism of the MDR‐1 gene is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.