Mutations in anionic trypsinogen gene are not associated with tropical calcific pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is considered to be an autodigestive disease due to premature activation of trypsinogen inside the pancreas. Its genetic basis has recently been established with the identification of causal mutations in cationic trypsinogen gene ( PRSS1 ) in patients with hereditary1 and non-hereditary pancreatitis.2 Mutations in other genes such as SPINK1 (encoding pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor)3 and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR )4,5 genes have also been associated with the disease. Tropical calcific pancreatitis is a type of idiopathic pancreatitis, reported particularly in the tropics. Recently, we and others demonstrated absence of PRSS1 mutations but significant prevalence of the N34S mutation …