Distribution of paraoxonase-1 gene polymorphisms and enzyme activity in a Peruvian population.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a serum esterase associated with high density lipoproteins and capable of detoxifying toxic metabolites of organophosphorus (OP) compounds. Two major polymorphisms have been described in the coding region of the PON1 gene at positions 192 and 55 and at least five in the 5'-regulatory region, the most important at position -108. Depending on the substrate, PON1 192 Q/R polymorphism can affect PON1 enzymatic activity.