Variations in NTCP-receptor gene and selected hepatobiliary diseases among Africans and Asians: A mini review

• HBV infections and Chronic liver diseases are common in Africa, more so in Asia • NTCP gives HBV entry into hepatocytes, aids in bile acid and xenobiotic metabolism • Some NTCP gene SNPs affect HBV liability, others aid in spontaneous viral clearance • SNP rs2296651 is popular in Asians, associated with HBV and other liver diseases • Besides HBV, other NTCP SNPs are linked with cholestasis, NNJ, cirrhosis and HCC Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a receptor which plays several roles including bile metabolism and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. NTCP and its phenotypes, due to variations in its gene (SLC10A1 – Solute Carrier family 10 A 1), can serve as both diagnostic and therapeutic markers and targets, respectively. Africa and Asia have high prevalences of hepatobiliary related diseases – including HBV infections. This mini review sought to discuss single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC10A1 of four hepatobiliary diseases (including HBV-infections) among Africans and Asians. Given the inconsistencies in genetic SNP associations due to genetic heterogeneity and disagreements in the pathophysiology of NTCP SNP variations across ethnic groups, this review summarizes specific NTCP SNPs, including the variation type and the amino acid(s) or nucleotide bases involved. It also highlights the countries, populations, or ethnicities in which they are found and the consequences or their roles in HBV/HDV infection, Cholestasis, neonatal jaundice, Uridine 5’-diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency, Liver cirrhosis and Liver cancer. The discussions end with recommendations for further research to understand the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of acute and chronic effects of mutations that lead to NTCP deficiency, and development of NTCP-molecular therapeutic interventions for related hepatobiliary diseases.