V. Polzonetti, V. Passini, N. Lucarini
Published: May 17, 2011
Genet. Mol. Res. 10(2): 878-884
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-2gmr1062
Cite this Article:
V. Polzonetti, V. Passini, N. Lucarini (2011). Association between ACP1 genetic polymorphism and favism. Genet. Mol. Res. 10(2): 878-884. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-2gmr1062
About the Authors
V. Polzonetti, V. Passini, N. Lucarini
Corresponding Author: N. Lucarini
Email: nazzareno.lucarini@unicam.it
ABSTRACT
An association between favism (a hemolytic reaction to consumption of fava beans), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD–) and acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP1) phenotypes has been reported; the frequency of carriers of the pa and pc ACP1 alleles was found to be significantly higher in G6PD– individuals showing favism than in the general population. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that favism is caused by toxic Vicia faba substances, which in some ACP1 phenotypes cause increased phosphorylation and consequently increased glycolysis, with strong reduction in reduced glutathione production, resulting in hemolysis. It has been demonstrated that ACP1 f isoforms have physiological functions different from those of s isoforms and are responsible for most of the phosphatase activity, in addition to being less stable in the presence of oxidizing molecules. Thus, the C, CA and A phenotypes, characterized by lower concentrations of f isoforms, could be more susceptible to damage by oxidative events compared to the other phenotypes. To test this hypothesis, the (f+s) enzymatic activity of different ACP1 phenotypes with and without added V. faba extract was analyzed. Enzymatic activities of ACP1 A, -CA, -C groups (low activity) and -B, -BA, -CB groups (high activity) were significantly different after addition of V. faba extract. Phenotypes A, CA and C had extremely low enzymatic activity levels, which would lead to low levels of reduced glutathione and bring about erythrocyte lysis.
Key words: Acid phosphatase locus 1, Genetic polymorphism, Favism, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, LMW protein tyrosine phosphatases.