SURVEY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEASE I POLYMORPHISM WITH DISEASE

The deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) system was studied in 120 unrelated Japanese patients with liver disease, malignant neoplasms, alimentary- canal disease and inflammatory conditions with respect to the distribu tion of phenotypes and gene frequencies in serum samples. In patients with alimentary-canal disease a significant deficit of the DNase I phe notype 1-2 was demonstrated, which suggests that heterozygosity may co nfer protection against such disease. Furthermore, a significant assoc iation between the DNase I phenotype 2 and liver disease was found. Th e possible involvement of these phenotypes in the response to these di seases would appear to merit further study.