Leucine 7-proline 7 polymorphism in the signal peptide of neuropeptide Y is not a risk factor for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the regulatory role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in angiogenesis, we set out to determine the presence of the leucine 7-proline 7 (Leu7Pro) polymorphism in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and to analyse its implications.


METHODS
Genotype analysis of the Leu7Pro polymorphism in the signal peptide region of the human prepro-NPY was performed in blood samples from exudative AMD patients (n = 240) and control subjects (n = 79).


RESULTS
In all, 11% of exudative AMD patients and 14% of control subjects exhibited the NPY signal peptide Leu7Pro polymorphism. There were no statistically significant differences in Leu7Pro polymorphism frequency between the exudative AMD and control cases, as analysed by Fisher's exact two-sided test.


CONCLUSIONS
Leu7Pro polymorphism in the signal peptide region of the human prepro-NPY is not a risk factor for exudative AMD.
Kaarniranta
Kai
K
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. kaarnira@messi.uku.fi
Holopainen
Juha M
JM
Karvonen
Matti K
MK
Koulu
Markku
M
Kallio
Jaana
J
Pesonen
Ullamari
U
Teräsvirta
Markku
M
Uusitalo
Hannu
H
Immonen
Ilkka
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011392:Proline; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011392:Proline; D007930:Leucine