Genetic determinants of Vitamin D levels among Hispanics and African Americans

This study has a large diverse sample and they look at the association between variants in three vitamin D related genes and vitamin D levels in the blood. They find an association between variants in the DBP (vitamin D Binding Protein gene) and plasma levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in all three populations. I wonder how these polymorphisms differ in frequency and haplotype structure between groups.

Genetic and environmental determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in Hispanic and African Americans.

Corinne D. Engelman, Tasha E. Fingerlin, Carl D. Langefeld, Pamela J. Hicks, Stephen S. Rich, Lynne E. Wagenknecht, Donald W. Bowden and Jill M. Norris

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 93, No. 9 3381-3388

Context: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many adverse health outcomes, yet little is known about the genetic epidemiology of vitamin D or its metabolites. Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationship among three vitamin D-related genes and levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] in Hispanics (HAs) and African Americans (AAs). Design and Setting: The cross-sectional Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study recruited and examined subjects in: Los Angeles, California (AAs; 513 individuals from 42 families); San Luis Valley (SLV), Colorado (HAs; 513 individuals from 30 families); and San Antonio (SA), Texas (HAs; 504 individuals from 58 families). Main Outcome Measures: Plasma levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were measured. Results: Levels of 25(OH)D were highest in SLV-HAs [18.3 ± 7.7 ng/ml (45.7 ± 19.2 nmol/liter)], lower in SA-HAs [14.6 ± 6.4 ng/ml (36.4 ± 16.0 nmol/liter)], and lowest in AAs [11.0 ± 5.4 ng/ml (27.5 ± 13.5 nmol/liter)]. Levels of 1,25(OH)2D were similar in AAs [43.5 ± 13.9 pg/ml (113.1 ± 36.1 pmol/liter)] and SLV-HAs [43.2 ± 13.3 pg/ml (112.3 ± 34.6 pmol/liter)], but higher in SA-HAs [48.6 ± 17.0 pg/ml (126.4 ± 44.2 pmol/liter)]. After adjusting for gender and age within the site, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D binding protein gene (DBP), rs4588 and rs7041, were associated with 25(OH)D, and one SNP in the DBP, rs4588, was associated with 1,25(OH)2D at all three study centers. Conclusions: SNPs in the DBP are associated with levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in HA and AA participants in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study.