Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism in Behçet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a potential relationship between I/D polymorphism within intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene located on human chromosome 17 and Behçet's disease.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was obtained from 35 Turkish patients diagnosed with Behçet's disease according to the International Study Group criteria and 150 healthy individuals. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of I and D (insertion and deletion) alleles in intron 16 of the ACE gene in these DNA samples.


RESULTS
We found differences in ACE I/D polymorphism between Behçet's disease and healthy controls (chi2=4.61, d.f.=1, p=0.044). In Behçet's disease patients, the D allele frequency was 84.3% and I allele frequency 15.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
An association between Behçet's disease and ACE polymorphism may provide a useful basis for future molecular studies and therapeutic approaches in this complex disease.
Turgut
Sebahat
S
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. sturgut@pamukkale.edu.tr
Turgut
Günfer
G
Atalay
Erol Omer
EO
Atalay
Ayfer
A
D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014421:Turkey
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A