The Association Between the rs2200733 SNP and Atrial Fibrillation Among Arabs: A Study from Jordan

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cardiology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia with complex genetic and environmental causes.
• The PITX2 gene, crucial for heart development, is near the rs2200733 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).
• Investigating specific SNPs like rs2200733 can elucidate AFib's genetic underpinnings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the rs2200733 SNP and atrial fibrillation (AFib) in a Jordanian cohort.
• To determine the prevalence of the rs2200733 SNP and its alleles/genotypes in AFib patients and controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 450 participants (176 AFib patients, 274 controls) recruited from King Abdullah University Hospital.
• Genotyping of the rs2200733 SNP was performed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) technique.
• Statistical analysis was conducted to compare allele and genotype frequencies between AFib patients and controls.

Main Results:

• The mutant T allele of the rs2200733 SNP was found in 19% of the studied population.
• A higher prevalence of the T allele and CT/TT genotypes was observed in AFib patients compared to controls (P<0.05, OR [CI]: 1.65 [1.12-2.43]).
• Independent risk factors for AFib, including body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension, were also identified.

Conclusions:

• The rs2200733 SNP is significantly associated with atrial fibrillation in the Jordanian population.
• The T allele of the rs2200733 SNP may represent a genetic risk factor contributing to AFib development.
• Further research is warranted to understand the functional implications of this SNP in AFib pathogenesis.