Polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase B genes among Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

To study polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) genes among Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease. Genotypes of the COMT and MAO-B genes of 1408 patients with Parkinson's disease was sequenced using Sanger method. And these patients were recruited by Chinese Parkinson Study Group from 29 research centers throughout the country. The genotypic frequencies of COMT rs4680 AA, AG, GG were 8.9%, 42.0% and 49.1%. Those of rs4818 CC, CG, GG were 42.5%, 45.6% and 11.9%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of MAO-B rs1799836 A/AA, AG, G/GG were 74.4%, 14.1% and 11.5%, respectively. The haplotype formed by COMT rs4680 (GG) and MAO-B rs1799836 (A/AA) genotype has a frequency of 36.86%. Polymorphisms of COMT and MAO-B genes has a unique characteristics among Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease. They may be related with differences in drug response in such patients.