title: The genetics of POAG in black South Africans: a candidate gene association study.
abstract: Multiple loci have been associated with either primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or heritable ocular quantitative traits associated with this condition. This study examined the association of these loci with POAG, with central corneal thickness (CCT), vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) and with diabetes mellitus in a group of black South Africans (215 POAG cases and 214 controls). The population was homogeneous and distinct from other African and European populations. Single SNPs in the MYOC, COL8A2, COL1A1 and ZNF469 gene regions showed marginal associations with POAG. No association with POAG was identified with tagging SNPs in TMCO1, CAV1/CAV2, CYP1B1, COL1A2, COL5A1, CDKN2B/CDKN2BAS-1, SIX1/SIX6 or the chromosome 2p16 regions and there were no associations with CCT or VCDR. However, SNP rs12522383 in WDR36 was associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.00008). This first POAG genetic association study in black South Africans has therefore identified associations that require additional investigation in this and other populations to determine their significance. This highlights the need for larger studies in this population if we are to achieve the goal of facilitating early POAG detection and ultimately preventing irreversible blindness from this condition.
authors: Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Susan E I
authors: SE
authors: Williams
authors: Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Trevor R
authors: TR
authors: Carmichael
authors: Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, USA.
authors: R Rand
authors: RR
authors: Allingham
authors: Duke Center for Human Genetics, Duke University, Durham, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hauser
authors: 1] Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa [2] Sydney Brenner Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Ramsay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013019:South Africa