Abstract
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolins distinguish between self, non-self and altered-self by recognizing patterns of ligands on the surface of microorganisms or aberrant cells. When this happens MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) is activated and cleaves complement factors to start inflammatory actions. We examined human populations for MASP-2 levels, MASP-2 function and for the presence of mutations in coding exons of MASP2. The MASP-2 levels were lowest in Africans from Zambia (median, 196ng/ml) followed by Hong Kong Chinese (262ng/ml), Brazilian Amerindians (290ng/ml) and Danish Caucasians (416ng/ml). In the Chinese population, we uncovered a novel four amino-acid tandem duplication (p.156_159dupCHNH) associated with low levels of MASP-2. The frequency of this mutation as well as the SNPs p.R99C, p.R118C, p.D120G, p.P126L and p.V377A were analyzed. The p.156_159dupCHNH was only found in Chinese (gene frequency 0.26%) and p.D120G was found only in Caucasians and Inuits from West-Greenland. The p.P126L and p.R99Q were present in Africans and Amerindians only, except for p.R99Q in one Caucasian. The MASP-2 levels were reduced in individuals with p.V377A present. The MASP-2 present in individuals homozygous for p.377A or p.99Q had a normal enzyme activity whereas MASP-2 in individuals homozygous for p.126L was non-functional.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 154-163 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Genes and Immunity |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Genetics(clinical)