DNA point mutations in the promoter of the human histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene in patients suffering from allergic ashtma

Histamine is an important chemical mediator in allergy. In organisms, L-his tidine decarboxylase (HDC) is the regulatory key enzyme for histamine biosy nthesis. The patients with allergy may have altered histamine metabolism. W e have studied alterations in the 5'-flanking region of the human HDC promo ter of patients suffering from allergy. It is possible that such modificati ons in the HDC promoter may be playing some role in the hyperresponsiveness of patients with allergy.