Background: To investigate whether population differences in food and/or
lifestyle could affect the distribution frequencies of polymorphism in the gene for
β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR), the frequency of Trp64Arg
polymorphism was studied among Bolivian people living in rural areas of high (about
4000 m above sea level) and low (about 300 m above sea level) altitudes.
Methods: Genomic DNA samples of Bolivian subjects (n=508) were amplified
by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for part of the β3-AR gene. The
amplified PCR products were digested with restriction enzyme NciI and analysed by
agarose gel electrophoresis.
Results: We found no significant difference in the frequency of Arg
allele in the β3-AR gene between 331 native low-altitude Bolivian subjects
(18.1%) and 177 native high-altitude Bolivian subjects (17.5%). Body mass index was
not associated with Trp64Arg polymorphism among native Bolivian adults. The frequency
of this allele in the complete Bolivian population (18%) was lower than that reported
in Pima Indians (32%), is comparable to the Japanese (19%) and is higher than several
ethnic groups, including Finns (12%) and French (4%).
Conclusions: Our data indicate that the altitude-related lifestyle of a
population has had little influence on the frequency of Trp64Arg polymorphism and
obesity in Bolivian natives.
