MIF abundance is regulated by a genetic polymorphism

 

MIF protein is regulated by a promoter microsatellite region with large variance in the human population. This region may have between 5 and 8 CATT repeats. People with the 5-CATT repeat allele express substantially lower amounts of endogenous MIF, and have been shown to suffer worse outcomes following cardiac surgery.

Prevalence of 5-CATT (low MIF expression) allele around the world.

>5-CATT: Normal MIF Expression

Southern

Africa

East

Africa

East

Asia

UK

Caucasian

USA

Caucasian

USA

African

American

5-CATT: Low MIF Expression