Association study between polymorphisms within MPPED2 (rs12797813), MTR (rs61739582), ACTN2 (rs6656267) and LPO (rs7209537) genes and susceptibility to dental caries: a case-control study

Introduction: : The linkage between specific genetic variants and the susceptibility to dental caries remains a crucial area of investigation. This study aimed to examine the association of particular gene variants within MPPED2 (rs12797813), MTR (rs61739582), ACTN2 (rs6656267), and LPO (rs7209537) genes with the likelihood of developing dental caries. Methods: : The study recruited a cohort of 600 participants, divided equally between 300 individuals diagnosed with dental caries and 300 healthy controls devoid of the condition. The focus was on the genotyping of the mentioned gene variants using the Tetra-Primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR (TetraARMS-PCR) technique. This method is noted for its efficacy in detecting genetic variations. Discussion: Analysis revealed significant associations between the occurrence of dental caries and the SNPs rs6656267 and rs7209537, with p-values less than 0.05 indicating statistical relevance. Notably, the presence of the C allele of rs6656267 and the A allele of rs7209537 was disproportionately higher amongst individuals with dental caries compared to the healthy control group. These associations were evident across both co-dominant and dominant genetic models, suggesting that these variants may increase the risk of developing dental caries. The discrepancy with the allele reference suggests a potential error in the citation of rs8178275, which likely should be rs7209537 based on the context provided. Conclusion: : The findings of this study suggest that the rs6656267 and rs7209537 variants in the ACTN2 and LPO genes, respectively, may serve as potential genetic markers for increased susceptibility to dental caries. However, the complex nature of genetic influences on dental caries risk necessitates further research to confirm these initial findings and to explore the mechanisms by which these SNPs influence caries development.