title: Functional polymorphisms in the promoter of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene are not linked with significant plasma MMP-9 variations in healthy subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix during physiological and pathological processes. Two functional polymorphisms [C(-1562)T and microsatellite (CA)13-25] in the promoter region of the MMP-9 gene have been associated with several diseases. The aim of this study was to examine whether these MMP-9 polymorphisms and haplotypes are linked with plasma MMP-9 variations in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 177 healthy male white volunteers (age range 20-55 years) who were non-smokers and not taking any medication. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotypes for the C(-1562)T and the microsatellite (CA)n polymorphisms were determined. MMP-9 levels were measured in plasma samples by gelatin zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the alleles C and T for the C(-1562)T polymorphism were 90% and 10%, respectively. The frequency of the alleles with less than 21 CA repeats (L) and with 21 repeats or higher (H) were 47% and 53%, respectively. We found no differences in plasma MMP-9 levels among the genotype groups or among different haplotypes (all p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that functional polymorphisms in the promoter of the MMP-9 gene are not linked with significant plasma MMP-9 variations in healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demacq
authors.forename: Vivian B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marcaccini
authors.forename: Raquel F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.forename: Wilson A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jose E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tanus-Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004586:Electrophoresis; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9