Common SNP rs6564851 in the BCO1 Gene Affects the Circulating Levels of β-Carotene and the Daily Intake of Carotenoids in Healthy Japanese Women

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 22;11(12):e0168857. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168857. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

The circulating levels of β-carotene are modulated not only by sex, but also by autosomal gene variations and fruit intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between β-carotene metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; genetic factors) and nutrient intake (environmental factors) relating to their effects on circulating β-carotene. The serum concentrations of β-carotene and the habitual food intake of 92 healthy Japanese adults were examined. All subjects were genotyped for three common SNPs: rs6564851 in the β-carotene 15,15'-oxygenase 1 (BCO1) gene, rs2278986 in the scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) gene and rs362090 in the intestine-specific homeobox (ISX) gene. Univariate analysis revealed that the circulating β-carotene levels were significantly higher in rs6564851 GG homozygotes (p = 0.003). Additionally, the daily intake of β-cryptoxanthin was positively associated with the circulating β-carotene levels in female GG homozygotes of rs6564851 (p = 0.023), and the daily intake of α- and β-carotenes, and β-cryptoxanthin was significantly lower in female rs6564851 T allele carries than in female GG homozygotes (p = 0.009, 0.008, 0.009, respectively). The present study apparently indicates that higher circulating β-carotene levels in female rs6564851 GG homozygotes depend on carotenoid intake.

MeSH terms

  • Carotenoids / blood*
  • Carotenoids / metabolism
  • Diet
  • Eating
  • Female
  • Fruit*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • beta Carotene / blood*
  • beta Carotene / metabolism
  • beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase / genetics

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Isx protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • beta Carotene
  • Carotenoids
  • BCO1 protein, human
  • beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase

Grants and funding

YS received a research grant B-3 from the University of Nagasaki (sun.ac.jp). The funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.