DNase I could be the most important nuclease for the removal of DNA from nuclear antigens at sites of high cell turnover, and thus may also prevent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sixteen SNPs were identified by direct DNA sequencing, among which six were selected for genotyping in a larger investigation on the basis of linkage disequilibria among SNPs, their frequency, location and haplotype tagging status. Genetic associations of polymorphisms in DNase I with the risk of SLE and the production of common autoantibodies were examined in a Korean population (350 SLE patients and 330 controls). Although no significant associations with the risk of SLE were found, logistic regression analyses revealed that one non-synonymous SNPs in exon 8, +2373A>G(Gln244Arg), was significantly associated with an increased risk of the production of anti-RNP and anti-dsDNA antibodies among SLE patients. The frequency of the homozygous minor allele (Arg/Arg) was much higher in patients who had the anti-RNP antibody (31.3%) than in patients who did not have this antibody (14.4%) (P=0.0006, OR=2.86). In addition, the A/T mutation in exon 2 of DNase reported in two Japanese SLE patients was not present in SLE patients (n=350) or controls (n=330) in our Korean population, which combined with the results of previous reports strongly suggests that the mutation is not present in three major ethnic groups: Caucasian, African and Asian.