Analysis of mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) genotype and the serum protein levels in the Korean population.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type lectin produced by the liver and involved in the innate immune response. We have analyzed six SNPs of MBL2 gene--three at promoter (-550, -435, and -221), one at 5'-untranslational region (UTR) (+4), and two at coding (Gly54Asp and Leu126Leu) regions--in the Korean population (N=129), and have correlated genotypes with the serum concentration and functional characteristics. Of those, the Asp54 allele (P<10(-15)), L allele at -550 (P<10(-7)), and P allele at +4 (P=0.