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A megalin polymorphism associated with promoter activity and Alzheimer's disease risk
Author(s) -
Vargas Teo,
Bullido Maria Jesus,
MartinezGarcia Ana,
Antequera Desiree,
Clarimon Jordi,
RosichEstrago Marcel,
MartinRequero Angeles,
Mateo Ignacio,
RodriguezRodriguez Eloy,
VilellaCuadrada Elisabet,
Frank Ana,
Lleo Alberto,
MolinaPorcel Laura,
Blesa Rafael,
Combarros Onofre,
GomezIsla Teresa,
BermejoPareja Felix,
Valdivieso Fernando,
Carro Eva
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.31056
Subject(s) - apolipoprotein e , genotype , disease , alzheimer's disease , biology , gene , promoter , population , polymorphism (computer science) , allele , genetics , medicine , gene expression , environmental health
Elevated cerebral levels of amyloid beta‐protein (Aβ) occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet only a few patients show evidence of increased Aβ production. This observation suggests that many, perhaps most, cases of AD are caused by faulty clearance of Aβ. Megalin, which plays an important role in mediating Aβ clearance, is an attractive candidate gene for genetic association with AD. To investigate this hypothesis, we analyzed the megalin gene in a population of 2,183 subjects. Genetic analysis indicated that the rs3755166 (G/A) polymorphism located in the megalin promoter associated with risk for AD, dependently of apolipoprotein E genotype. The rs3755166 AA genotype frequency was significantly greater in AD patients than in control subjects. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay indicated that the rs3755166 A variant has 20% less transcriptional activity than the rs3755166 G variant. This study provides strong evidence that this megalin polymorphism confers a greater risk for AD, and supports a biological role for megalin in the neurodegenerative processes involved in AD. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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