Rapid genotyping of transforming growth factor beta(1) gene polymorphisms in a UK Caucasoid control population using the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primers

Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1) is a growth factor which has multi ple functions including the promotion of matrix deposition during wound hea ling and scar formation. Gene polymorphisms within or close to the 5' regio n oi TGF beta(1) have been identified: three in the upstream region, one in the non-translated region, two in the signal peptide sequence and one in a region of the gene coding for the precursor protein. We have developed a m ethod using 14 polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer reactions to characterise six of these polymorphisms. In the upstream region, both f orward and reverse allele-specific primers were used to demonstrate the cis /trans orientation of alleles at adjacent polymorphisms (haplotypes). We re port the allele and genotype frequencies of TGF beta(1) genes in two sets o f UK Caucasoid control subjects.