We investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the aldehyde dehydrogenase family1 L1 gene (ALDH1L1) and their association with neural tube defects (NTDs) in the Chinese population. A total of 271 NTDs cases and 192 healthy controls were used in this study. A total of 112 selected SNPs in the ALDH1L1 gene were analyzed using the next-generation sequencing method. Statistical analysis was carried out to investigate the correlation between SNPs and patient susceptibility to NTDs. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the SNP sites rs4646733, rs2305225, and rs2276731 in the ALDH1L1 gene and NTDs. The TT genotype and T allele of rs4646733 in ALDH1L1 were associated with a significantly increased incidence of NTDs [odds ratio (OR) = 2.16, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.199-3.896 for genotype; and OR = 1.46, 95 % CI 1.092-1.971 for allele]. The AA genotype and A allele of rs2305225 in ALDH1L1 were associated with a significantly increased incidence of NTDs (OR = 2.03, 95 % CI 1.202-3.646 for genotype, and OR = 1.44, 95 % CI 1.096-1.905 for allele). The CT genotype and C allele of rs2276731 in ALDH1L1 significantly were associated with an increased incidence of NTDs (OR = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.129-2.491 with genotype, and OR = 1.32, 95 % CI 0.956-1.816 with allele).The polymorphic loci rs4646733, rs2305225, and rs2276731 in the ALDH1L1 gene maybe potential risk factors for NTDs in the Chinese population.
Keywords: Aldehyde dehydrogenase family1 L1; Genotype; Neural tube defects; Single-nucleotide polymorphisms.