Exploring the association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene and Alzheimer disease.
BACKGROUND
Previous linkage studies have shown that chromosome 12 harbors susceptibility genes for late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). However, association studies of several candidate genes on this chromosome region have produced ambiguous results. A recent study reported the association between the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) gene on chromosome 12p and the risk of LOAD.


METHODS
The authors conducted family-based and case-control association studies in two independent LOAD data sets on 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GAPD gene and its paralogs.


RESULTS
No association was found of the GAPD gene with LOAD in the family-based data set, but marginal evidence of association was seen in the later-onset subgroup when age at onset was stratified. The SNP rs2029721 in one GAPD pseudogene was also found to be associated with risk for LOAD in the unrelated case-control data set (p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The GAPD gene and its pseudogene may play a role in the development of late-onset Alzheimer disease. However, the effect, if any, is likely to be limited.
Lin
P I
PI
Center for Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Martin
E R
ER
Bronson
P G
PG
Browning-Large
C
C
Small
G W
GW
Schmechel
D E
DE
Welsh-Bohmer
K A
KA
Haines
J L
JL
Gilbert
J R
JR
Pericak-Vance
M A
MA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002881:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases