Aim: To determine if SNPs located within the 3'-UTR of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) can alter the risk of lead poisoning and the ALAD gene expression.
Materials & methods: A case-control study was carried out to find the SNPs in miRNA target region. Luciferase reporter gene assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot was used to determine the relationship between miRNA and SNPs.
Results: We found a significant association between rs818708 and the risk of lead poisoning. miR-545-5p was influenced by rs818708 variant and might result in a significant change in ALAD expression.
Conclusion: rs818708 T > C can weaken the binding capability between miR-545-5p and 3'-UTR of ALAD and thus may alter the risk of lead poisoning.
Keywords: 3′-UTR; ALAD; SNPs; lead poisoning; miRNA.