A Achouri-Rassas1, N Ben Ali2, S Fray2, M Kechaou2, N Oudiaa Zakraoui2, S Hadj-Fredj3, A Cherif2, N Anane2, S Echebi2, T Messaoud3, S Belal2. 1. Neurological department, Charles Nicolle hospital, boulevard du 9 Avril, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia; Biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory, Children's hospital, Bab Saadoun, 1029 Tunis, Tunisia. Electronic address: achouriafef@yahoo.fr. 2. Neurological department, Charles Nicolle hospital, boulevard du 9 Avril, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia. 3. Biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory, Children's hospital, Bab Saadoun, 1029 Tunis, Tunisia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with an as yet poorly understood etiology. Both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated as predisposing factors. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is an established genetic susceptibility factor for AD for several populations including the Tunisian population. Polymorphism rs769446 (-427 T/C) at the promoter region of the APOE gene is postulated to affect the expression of the gene through differential binding of transcription factors. AIMS: This study aims at examining the APOE promoter polymorphism rs769446 for possible association with AD in a Tunisian population. METHODS: Using a case-control study design, a sample of 85 patients and 90 controls were investigated for association with the rs769446 polymorphism. RESULTS: No evidence of association was found in this population upon comparison between patients and healthy controls or upon stratification by APOE ɛ4. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations of potential gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions for this polymorphism need to be further conducted.
BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with an as yet poorly understood etiology. Both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated as predisposing factors. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is an established genetic susceptibility factor for AD for several populations including the Tunisian population. Polymorphism rs769446 (-427 T/C) at the promoter region of the APOE gene is postulated to affect the expression of the gene through differential binding of transcription factors. AIMS: This study aims at examining the APOE promoter polymorphism rs769446 for possible association with AD in a Tunisian population. METHODS: Using a case-control study design, a sample of 85 patients and 90 controls were investigated for association with the rs769446 polymorphism. RESULTS: No evidence of association was found in this population upon comparison between patients and healthy controls or upon stratification by APOE ɛ4. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations of potential gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions for this polymorphism need to be further conducted.