Plasma urotensin-2 level and Thr21Met but not Ser89Asn polymorphisms of the urotensin-2 gene are associated with migraines.

Sırma Geyik,Sercan Ergun,Murat Korkmaz,Ebru Temiz,Seval Kul,Erman Altunışık,Figen Şensoy,Ayşe Münife Neyal,Samiye Kuzudişli,Aylin Akçalı,Hasan Dağlı

doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0623-z

Sırma Geyik, Sercan Ergun + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0623-z

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Abstract

BackgroundUrotensin-II (U-II) is a peptide recognized by its potent vasoconstrictor activity in many vascular events, however the role of urotensin-II in migraine has not been considered yet. The molecular mechanisms and genetics of migraine have not been fully clarified yet, but it is well-known that vascular changes considerably contribute in pathophysiology of migraine and also its complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the plasma U-II levels along with genotype distributions and allele frequencies for UTS2 Thr21Met and Ser89Asn polymorphisms among the patients with migraine without aura (MWoA).MethodsOne hundred eighty-six patients with MWoA and 171 healthy individuals were included in this study. Plasma U-II levels were measured in attack free period. The genotype and allele frequencies for the Thr21Met (T21M) and Ser89Asn (S89N) polymorphisms in the UTS2 gene were analyzed.ResultsPlasma U-II levels were significantly higher in MWoA patients (p = 0.002). We detected a significant association between the T21M polymorphism in the UTS2 gene and migraine (53.8 % in patients, 40.4 % in controls, p = 0.035), but not with S89N polymorphism (p = 0.620). A significant relationship was found between U-II levels and MIDAS score (β = 0.508, p = 0.001).ConclusionOur study suggests that U-II may play a role in migraine pathogenesis; also Thr21Met polymorphism was associated with the risk of migraine disease. Further studies are needed for considering the role of U-II in migraine pathophysiology and for deciding if UTS2 gene may be a novel candidate gene in migraine cases.

Highlights

Urotensin-II (U-II) is a peptide recognized by its potent vasoconstrictor activity in many vascular events, the role of urotensin-II in migraine has not been considered yet
One hundred eighty-six patients diagnosed with migraine without aura (MWoA) and 171 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study
A significant relationship was found between U-II levels and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) score

Summary

Introduction

Urotensin-II (U-II) is a peptide recognized by its potent vasoconstrictor activity in many vascular events, the role of urotensin-II in migraine has not been considered yet. The molecular mechanisms and genetics of migraine have not been fully clarified yet, but it is well-known that vascular changes considerably contribute in pathophysiology of migraine and its complications. In recent years, it has been suggested that migraines are formed as a result of neuronal vascular event chains triggered by endogenous and/or exogenous factors in people with a genetic predisposition [2, 3]. Many first-degree relatives of migraine patients have a history of migraines, Urotensin-2 (U-II) is a cyclic peptide composed of 11 amino acids that was first isolated from the goby neurosecretory system in 1969 [7]. U-II is a vasoactive substance that has a similar peptide structure to somatostatin and is a more powerful vasoconstrictor than

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