title: Lack of association of the M129V polymorphism of the PRNP gene with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to evaluate the polymorphism at codon 129 (M129V) of the PRNP gene as a secondary risk factor for pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and seventy-five unrelated subjects, including 156 patients with PEX and 119 unrelated control subjects, were recruited from the University Hospital of Patras, Greece. All patients and controls were of Caucasian or European ancestry. The PRNP M129V (A/G) single-nucleotide polymorphism was genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reactions. Association of the polymorphism with PEX was assessed using the two-sided Pearson's chi-squared or Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference between patients and controls was observed in terms of frequencies of alleles and genotypes of the PRNP gene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymorphism at M129V of the PRNP gene was evaluated as a secondary risk factor for developing PEX. Our results suggest that this PRNP gene polymorphism is not associated with PEX.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Marios P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Division of Oncology, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Antonacopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Division of Oncology, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kottorou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Division of Oncology, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Haralabos P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kalofonos
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Sotirios P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Gartaganis
keywords: M129V; PEX; polymorphism; protein folding disorders; pseudoexfoliation syndrome