title: Leucine 7-proline 7 polymorphism in the signal peptide of neuropeptide Y is not a risk factor for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. kaarnira@messi.uku.fi
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaarniranta
authors.forename: Juha M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Holopainen
authors.forename: Matti K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Karvonen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koulu
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.forename: Ullamari
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pesonen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teräsvirta
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uusitalo
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Immonen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011392:Proline; D007930:Leucine