Malocclusion May Be Attributed to Variation among 10 Genes

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of this study was to utilize physical characteristics instead of placing subjects in arbitrary diagnostic categories to test for associations with genetic variants. Methods: Forty-four single nucleotide polymorphisms were tested for association with specific cephalometric measurements in thirty-nine University of Pittsburgh Dental Registry and DNA Repository orthodontic subjects. Cephalometric measurements included an evaluation of FMA, a Wits appraisal, and a Steiner’s ANB analysis. Genetic markers were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and Taqman chemistry. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests (α = 0.05) were used in investigation of overrepresentation of marker alleles. Samples were divided into groups based upon having an FMA, Wits, or ANB measurement above or below the mean of the cohort studied. Secondary analysis was done for sex and ethnicity to determine their effect on FMA, Wits, or ANB. Results: An association between FMA measurements was discovered in the following genes: ACTN3, CASP4, ESR1, FGF13, KRT7, and PITX2. An association between Wits measurements was discovered in the following genes: ACTN2, BTBD11, CASP4, FGF3, and FGF10. No associations were found with ANB. Conclusions: Genetic markers in several genes at different loci may contribute to craniofacial deformities in humans. This approach of using physical measurements may be an advantage to placing patients in arbitrary diagnostic categories.