GSTP Polymorphism of GSTP1 (rs1695) and its Potential Association with Dental Caries in the Tamil Population

Abstract

Background: Dental caries result from the demineralization of enamel or dentin caused by acids produced by cariogenic oral bacteria. The Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is a prominent member of the GST family, and it exhibits several genetic polymorphisms, with rs1695 being the most common variant. Aim: Our study is to investigate the relationship between GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism and the susceptibility to dental caries. Objective: The study focused on understanding the relationship between GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphisms and susceptibility to dental caries in the Tamil population. Methods: SNPs in the GSTP1 missense variant rs1695 (A/G) were analysed by PCR RFLP. The study group included 100 dental caries with (DMFT >5) and 100 healthy controls (DMFT=0). Further analysis of the impact of the GSTP1 wild-type gene with the rs1695 variant on mRNA's secondary structure was conducted using in silico prediction tools. Results: The results showed a significant frequency distribution of the heterozygous AG genotype (P<0.05). While the genotypic distribution of GSTP1 remained consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in the control group (p-value > 0.05), it deviated from HWE in the caries group. The free energy of the thermodynamic ensemble for the rs1695 variant was calculated to be -186.20 kcal/mol. This lower free energy, compared to the wild-type, indicates that the variant is more stable. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that GSTP1 rs1695 variants could enhance susceptibility to dental caries by suggesting genetic load as a possible risk factor. However, additional functional research and larger studies are required to confirm these results.