title: Matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene promoter polymorphisms: A potential risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common multifactorial condition. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes capable of breaking down various connective tissue elements. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in regulatory areas of MMP-encoding genes can alter their transcription rate, and therefore the possible effect on pelvic floor supporting structures. The insertion of an adenine (A) base in the promoter of theMMP-3gene at position -1612/-1617 produces a sequence of six adenines (6A), whereas the other allele has five (5A). The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association ofMMP-3gene promoter SNPs with the risk of POP. The patient group comprised 80 women with clinically significant POP [Stage II, III or IV; POP quantification (POP-Q) system]. The control group consisted of 80 females without any or important pelvic floor support defects (Stages 0 or I; POP-Q system). All the participants underwent the same preoperative evaluation. SNP detection was determined with whole blood sample DNA analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in LightCycler®PCR platforms, using the technique of sequence-specific hybridization probe-binding assays and melting temperature curve analysis. The results showed there was no statistically significant difference between 5A/5A, 5A/6A and 6A/6AMMP-3gene promoter variants in the two study groups (P=0.4758). Therefore,MMP-3gene promoter SNPs alone is insufficient to increase the genetic susceptibility to POP development.
authors: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Karachalios
authors: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Bakas
authors: Department of Biopathology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Kaparos
authors: Department of Biopathology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Styliani
authors: S
authors: Demeridou
authors: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Ilias
authors: I
authors: Liapis
authors: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Grigoriadis
authors: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens 11528, Greece.
authors: Aggelos
authors: A
authors: Liapis
keywords: MMP-3; gene; polymorphisms; prolapse