DEFB1 gene polymorphisms and increased risk of HIV-1 infection in Brazilian children

In our study we analysed three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the DEFB1 gene, namely -52(G/A) -44(C/G) and -20(G/A), in three groups of north-eastern Brazilian children in order to assess their role in HIV-1 infection. Our results allowed us to hypothesize that the SNPs located in the 5'UTR of the DEFB1 gene can be employed as a marker of risk for HIV-1 infection.