A linkage and association of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) C2578A polymorphism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been found in some studies. We analysed the C2578A polymorphism in sporadic ALS patients from a Chinese population. The polymorphism was analysed in 115 patients and 200 healthy individuals by amplifying across position 2705 to 2494 of the promoter region of the VEGF gene. It was found that the frequency of the allele A was 24% in ALS patients and 28% in healthy individuals (p = 0.264). Comparing the background of this polymorphism in healthy individuals between Chinese and Caucasians, significant decreases were found in the frequencies of the A/A genotype and allele A (p(s)<0.001). We concluded that VEGF C2578A polymorphism did not confer a susceptibility to sporadic Chinese ALS patients, which was in disagreement with that reported previously in Caucasian populations and might be ascribed to the different genetic background between Chinese and Caucasians.
ObjectiveTo determine the distribution of the single neucleutide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene in Chinese Han population. Methods252 healthy Chinese Han subjects were studied with PCR technique. The results were compared with the data on European Caucasians reported. ResultsThe frequencies of VEGF gene allele C and A were respectively 71.8% and 28.2%. The genotypes of CC, CA and AA were 48.8%, 46.0% and 5.2%, respectively. The frequencies of VEGF promoter 2578A/A polymorphism in Chinese Han population were significantly different from those in European Caucasian population( P 0.01). Conclusion2578A/A homozygote which results to low VEGF expression of Chinese Han subjects is remarkably less than that of European Caucasians.