Allelic Polymorphism of the ATM Gene and Its Contribution to the Formation of Resistance to the Impacts of Unfavorable Occupational Factors

Abstract

Maintaining DNA integrity is an indispensable condition for normal cell functioning. The role of DNA repair gene polymorphism in the formation of individual genome sensitivity to mutagenic DNA-damaging effects is now being actively studied. The aim of this research was to study the frequency distribution of the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM (rs664677)) genotypes among workers of hazardous and unsafe industries in order to identify risk markers for developing bronchopulmonary pathology. The study included miners and workers of asbestos-cement plants (n = 214). The genotypes of ATM (rs664677) were identified using the real-time PCR method. The study has found that the ATM⋅T/T genotype is associated with the risk of developing bronchopulmonary pathology in professional groups of workers from asbestos-cement plants (P = 0.02, χ² = 4.98; OR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.01–12.51) and miners (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 070–5.53). The genotypes that exhibited resistance to the development of pathology in the respiratory system have also been identified: in the group of workers from asbestos-cement plants (ATM⋅A/A (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.45–1.58), ATM⋅A/T (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.41–1.33)) and in miners (ATM⋅A/T (OR = 0.63; (0.28–1.43)). The obtained results indicated, for the first time, the significance of the ATM (rs664677) gene polymorphism for the development of bronchopulmonary pathology in workers of hazardous and unsafe industries of Ukraine.