No evidence of mutations in the P450 aromatase gene in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Etiology and inheritance pattern in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain uncertain. Granulosa cells from follicles of women with PCOS have little, if any, aromatase (encoded by the CYP19 gene) activity; follicles contain low levels of estradiol, P450arom mRNA and aromatase stimulating bioactivity. Mice with targeted disruption of the CYP19 gene present cystic follicles. It has been proposed that chronic exposure to high levels of LH, because of aromatase deficiency, determines the development of ovarian cysts. Herein, we investigated if mutations in the CYP19 gene and/or its ovary promoter are causal in patients with PCOS.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with PCOS and 50 control women were studied. PCR analysis of genomic DNA and complete sequence of all exons of the aromatase gene and its ovary promoter were performed.


RESULTS
No heterozygous or homozygous mutant alleles were present in any of the patients studied.


CONCLUSIONS
In the population studied, mutations of the P450arom gene or its promoter are not the cause of PCOS. However, these findings do not preclude the possible importance of an aromatase disorder in PCOS etiology. Variations in aromatase complex function could play a role in PCOS etiology, but the determinants of such variations might be located in other genes.
Söderlund
D
D
Research Unit in Developmental Biology, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F. (06703), México.
Canto
P
P
Carranza-Lira
S
S
Méndez
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D001141:Aromatase