Objective: To explore the role of single nuclear polymorphisms (SNP) in 2 candidate genes, SUMO4 and MAP3K7IP2, in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: Two cohorts from different Spanish towns totalling 635 patients with RA and 826 controls were studied. Six SNP were genotyped by matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) with the MassARRAY SNP genotyping system.
Results: We found no association with susceptibility to RA for any of the SNP including a previously described functional variant in the SUMO4 gene (163A-->G). RA susceptibility was independent of the haplotypes defined by the 6 SNP and there was also no association with clinical features of RA. Conclusion. SUMO4 and MAP3K7IP2 SNP did not significantly influence predisposition to and features of RA, in contrast to previous genetic and functional evidence that suggested their involvement.