SNPs discovery and linkage disequilibrium analysis of BSG in Chinese Han population

Objective: To identify BSG single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Chinese Han population.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 48 unrelated healthy Chinese Han subjects. Sequences at the BSG locus, including the promoter region, all exons and exon-intron boundaries were amplified, sequenced and followed by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis.

Results: A total of 19 SNPs were identified, 2 of which two were novel. Genotype distributions of all SNPs were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Four haplotype blocks were constructed throughout the gene locus, and 9 haplotype tag SNPs (htSNPs) were inferred. Distribution of SNPs was in accordance with the neutrality theory in Chinese Han population.

Conclusions: For the first time, systematic identification of BSG SNPs in the Chinese Han population has been done, and 9 htSNPs are identified. Our study has provided basis for further genetic association studies for related diseases as well as pharmacogenetics study for drug response in Chinese Han population.