UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genetic variation in North African populations: a comparison with African and European data

Background: Genetic variation in glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) is crucial in drug metabolism and risk of some diseases. Aim: To examine genetic variation in UGT in North African populations. Subjects and methods: Allele frequencies of SNPs UGT1A4(24Thr), UGT1A4(48Val), UGT2B15(85Tyr), UGT2B15(523Thr) and UGT2B17 CNV deletion from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya were compared to European and Sub-Saharan populations. Results: North Africans are the group with the highest genetic heterogeneity given by internal differences in the occurrence of UGT2B17 deletion, UGT1A4(48Val) and UGT1A4 haplotypes. UGT2B15 SNPs differentiate Sub-Saharans from the rest of the populations. Conclusion: North African populations show a high frequency of carriers of UGT2B15(523Thr), a variant linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. High Atlas Moroccans and Algerians show low frequency of UGT2B17(del), a variant associated with high concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol.