The Study
SLC2A9 is a newly identified urate transporter influencing serum urate concentration, urate excretion and gout
This study found that people with certain versions of a gene called SLC2A9 tend to have higher levels of uric acid in their blood, which can lead to gout. But it doesn't prove that the gene causes gout—maybe other things like diet or lifestyle are involved too.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Your body makes uric acid when it breaks down food, and normally your kidneys flush it out. But some people have a gene variant that makes their kidneys hold onto too much uric acid, which then builds up and forms painful crystals in joints.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 544 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Even though the gene only explains a small percentage of uric acid differences, it’s a major clue for why some people get gout — and could help design better treatments.
- 2People with certain SLC2A9 gene variants had 1.7–5.3% higher uric acid levels in their blood and were more likely to get gout; the gene moved uric acid in frog egg tests.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Nature Genetics
Year
2008
Authors
V. Vitart, I. Rudan, C. Hayward, N. Gray, J. Floyd, C. Palmer, S. Knott, I. Kolčić, O. Polašek, J. Graessler, James F. Wilson, A. Marinaki, P. Riches, X. Shu, B. Janićijević, N. Smolej-Narančić, B. Gorgoni, J. Morgan, Susan Campbell, Z. Biloglav, Lovorka Barac-Lauc, M. Peričić, I. Klarić, L. Zgaga, T. Škarić‐Jurić, S. Wild, William A. Richardson, P. Hohenstein, Charley H Kimber, A. Tenesa, L. Donnelly, L. Fairbanks, M. Aringer, P. McKeigue, S. Ralston, A. Morris, P. Rudan, N. Hastie, H. Campbell, A. Wright
Related Content
Claims (6)
The SLC2A9 gene encodes a protein that moves uric acid across cell membranes in frog egg cells, indicating it plays a direct role in reabsorbing urate in the human kidney.
The SLC2A9 gene produces a protein that moves urate in human cells, and it also moves fructose. This means it has two known roles in how the body handles these substances.
Specific genetic differences in the SLC2A9 gene are associated with higher levels of uric acid in the blood, lower kidney excretion of uric acid, and a higher likelihood of developing gout in people of European ancestry.
People with certain versions of the SLC2A9 gene excrete less uric acid in their urine, meaning their kidneys remove less uric acid from the blood.
People with certain versions of the SLC2A9 gene have a different likelihood of developing gout compared to those without these versions, and this pattern is observed in European populations from the UK, Croatia, and Germany.
When uric acid moves quickly from the bloodstream into joints, it causes acute inflammation characteristic of gout.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.