Frequency of adult type-associated lactase persistence LCT-13910C/T genotypes in the Czech/Slav and Czech Roma/Gypsy populations

Abstract

Lactase non-persistence (leading to primary lactose intolerance) is a genetically dependent inability to digest lactose in adulthood. As part of the human adaptation to dairying, the human lactase LCT-13910C/T mutation (which propagates adult expression of lactase) developed, spread and participated in the adaptation to dairying. This variant is associated with lactase activity persistence, and its carriers are able to digest lactose. We compared the frequencies of lactase 13910C/T (rs4988235) genotypes in Czechs/Slavs (N = 288) and Czech Gypsies/Roma (N = 300), two ethnically different groups where this polymorphism has not yet been analysed. Allelic frequencies significantly differed between the populations (p < 0.0001). In Czechs/Slavs, the lactase persistence T allele was present in 76% of the individuals, which is in agreement with frequencies among geographically neighbouring populations. In the Czech Gypsy/Roma population, only 27% of the adults were carriers of at least one lactase persistence allele, similar to the Indian population. In agreement with this result, dairy product consumption was reported by 70.5% of Czechs/Slavs and 39.0% of the Czech Gypsy/Roma population. Both in the Czech Gypsy/Roma and in the Czech/Slavs populations, the presence of carriers of the lactase persistence allele was similar in subjects self-reporting the consumption of unfermented/fresh milk, in comparison to the others.

Genetics of Lactose Intolerance: An Updated Review and Online Interactive World Maps of Phenotype and Genotype Frequencies

“…It is hypothesized that natural selection has elicited a prime role in determining the current frequencies of LP in different human communities since the development of cattle domestication in the Middle East and North Africa around ~7500–9000 years before present (BP). Although LP and LNP frequencies have been widely studied worldwide, there is a lack of a work collecting all newly available information published to date [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]; especially the new frequency data reported for American populations. Given the great interest of this research topic, an online graphic resource gathering all reported lactase frequency data (both at the phenotypic and genetics levels) would be of much utility for the scientific community.…”

Distribution of ADH1B genotypes predisposed to enhanced alcohol consumption in the Czech Roma/Gypsy population

“…In both groups, genotype distributions were within Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (both p > 0. 18). No gender differences (within ethnic groups) in genotype frequencies were observed.…”

“…We examined two ethnically distinct populations inhabiting one region of South Bohemia. Six hundred and one unrelated adults (at least 18 years old at the time of examination) were included in the study (18). Czech Gypsies/Roma (N = 301) were recruited using snowball sampling (22) and Czech Caucasians/ Slavs (N = 300) using quota sampling (23)(24)(25).…”

“…But although there are clearly some genetic *http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/Romani_health_en.pd. differences between Gypsies/Roma and non-Gypsies/Roma subjects (18)(19)(20)(21), to what extent these unhealthy lifestyles might be "inherited" is still unclear.…”

Different prevalence of T2DM risk alleles in Roma population in comparison with the majority Czech population

“…For example, in Roma, allelic differences in lactate dehydrogenase (Hubácek et al., 2017b), drug metabolism enzymes (Tomas et al., 2017, Dlouhá et al, in press), or osteoprotegerin (Mydlárová Blaščáková et al., 2017) polymorphisms clearly underlie genetic differences that could have important clinical (optimal treatment or dietary recommendations) or live expectancy consequences.…”