Relationship between polymorphisms in the sulfotransferase SULT2A1 gene and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration in children

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans, and has important physiological effects. A relationship has been suggested between variations of DHEA-S concentration and polymorphisms in the gene encoding sulfotransferase (SULT2A1), an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DHEA-S from DHEA. We have investigated the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2637125 and rs182420 in the SULT2A1 gene and plasma DHEA-S concentration in children at two different ages. The sample population comprised 981 healthy 6-8-year-olds and 792 12-16-year-old children. In total, 12-16-year-old boys homozygous for the rare allele of rs182420 (CC) showed significantly lower DHEA-S concentration than TC boys, and both (TC and CC) had lower levels than TT boys. In all, 12-16 -year-old boy carriers of the rare allele for the rs2637125 polymorphism also showed lower levels of DHEA-S than GG carriers. No differences were observed in DHEA-S concentrations across genotypes in 6-8-year-old children. Our data show an age-related association of polymorphisms in the SULT2A1 gene with lower DHEA-S, suggesting that these polymorphisms may affect DHEA-S concentration in adults.