Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) polymorphisms

Abstract

Objective: Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, SOD2), the only known superoxide scavenger in mitochondria, may be particularly important for antioxidant defense because mitochondria are the major sites for cellular metabolism and hence production of reactive oxygen species. Methods: In this study, 440 Turkish individuals were genotyped for polymorphisms of SOD2 gene. The distribution of these polymorphisms in this population was examined using a PCRRFLP method. Results: In the present study, a total of 440(females: 201, 46% and males: 239, 54%) healthy individuals were studied. The mean age of the study population was 54,41 +/- 5,76 years (males, 55,34 +/- 5,76; females, 53,12 +/- 7,16). The observed genotype frequencies of SOD2 were 17.5, 50.5 and 32.0% for CC, CT and TT, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides basic information about the allele and genotype frequency distributions of polymorphisms of rs4880 in the SOD2 gene studied. These frequencies may be useful parameters as a reference for future studies on genetic basis of various diseases and cancer susceptibility.