Association of the neprilysin and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms with Alzheimer's disease in Xinjiang Uygur population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association between the neprilysin (NEP) gene and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphisms and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) in Xinjiang Uygur population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The polymorphisms of the NEP and ApoE gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 111 SAD patients and 117 healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The frequency of the T allele in the NEP gene was significantly higher in the SAD patients than that in the controls (Chi-square= 5.005, P< 0.05); and there was higher risk to develop SAD in the T allele carriers. (2) The frequency of the ApoE 4 epsilon 4 allele was higher in the SAD patients than in the controls (Chi-square= 4.218, P< 0.05); and the ApoE 4 epsilon 4 carriers had significantly increased risk of developing SAD. (3) No significant interaction was found between the NEP and ApoE polymorphisms in SAD patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The NEP and ApoE gene polymorphisms may be associated with SAD. NEP gene may be an independent genetic risk factor for SAD in Xinjiang Uygur population.</p>