Role of ZIP14 (SLC39A14) gene histidine rich regions in neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) comprise a group of congenital malformations that includes spina bifida,anencephaly,meningomyelocele and encephalocele. Reports have implicated zinc deficiency as one of the causative factors of NTDs. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the etiology of NTDs. Inadequate folate intake and nutritional deficiency are important environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the relation of a zinc related gene ZRT and IRT like protein 14 (ZIP14) and neural tube defects in Turkish patients. The case control study included seventy Turkish mothers who gave birth to NTD infants. Two hundred and thirty-nine healthy controls were consecutively selected without any congenital defects or familial NTD history. Following DNA extraction,PCR,SSCP and DNA sequencing analysis of exons of the ZIP14 gene were performed. Our data revealed that no relation of neural tube defects and ZIP14 was detected in Turkish NTD patients. Zinc deficiency have been reported as a risk factor for Turkish population and other possible zinc related gene defects may have importance. © 2011.