Molecular screening of lysyl oxidase G473A polymorphism in oral submucous fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the presence of lysyl oxidase (LOX) G473A polymorphism in group 1 {Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients}, group 2 (betel quid chewers without OSMF) and group 3 (healthy individuals). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients were taken for the study, which included 20 OSMF patients (group 1), 20 betel quid chewers without OSMF (group 2) and 20 healthy individuals without OSMF and betel quid chewing habit (group 3). DNA was isolated using Qiagen kit. The isolated DNA was quantified using spectroscopic methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out at annealing temperature of 67(o) C. PCR amplification was checked on 2% agarose gel. Further, the amplified PCR products were subjected to automated DNA sequencer, to assess LOX G473A polymorphism. RESULTS: The gene sequence data generated from the automated DNA sequencer was received as colored electropherograms. These gene-sequencing results did not show LOX G473A polymorphism in any of the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, gene-sequencing results did not show LOX G473A polymorphism in OSMF patients. Since only one study in the literature has shown the association of LOX gene polymorphism and OSMF patients, we conclude that further studies are required to unveil the role of LOX gene polymorphism in OSMF.