Neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity and the influence of two single-nucleotide promoter polymorphisms

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) catalyses the formation of hypochlorous acid and is involved in many (patho)physiological processes. The present study was designed to determine the effect of two MPO promoter polymorphisms (463G/A and 129G/A) on enzyme activity. In 243 healthy controls, genotypes were determined and MPO activity was measured on a single-cell level using a haematological analyser. The 129G/A polymorphism reduces MPO activity in neutrophils, whereas for the 463G/A polymorphism, only gender-dependent differences in MPO activity in older age groups could be found. When studying these polymorphisms in disease, therefore, age and gender should be included in the analysis.