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HDC gene polymorphisms are associated with age at natural menopause in Caucasian women

Feng Zhang1, Dong-Hai Xiong, Wei Wang

  • 1The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, and Institute of Molecular Genetics, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|August 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The Histidine decarboxylase gene (HDC) is linked to age at natural menopause (AANM) in Caucasian women. Specific gene variations within the HDC gene show a significant association with AANM.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Histamine, synthesized by histidine decarboxylase (HDC), plays a role in reproductive system regulation.
  • Understanding genetic factors influencing age at natural menopause (AANM) is crucial for reproductive health research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between polymorphisms in the Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene and age at natural menopause (AANM).

Main Methods:

  • A transmission disequilibrium test was conducted on 265 postmenopausal women from 131 nuclear families.
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs854163 and rs854158 within the HDC gene were analyzed.
  • Haplotype analysis was performed on block 2 (SNPs rs854163 and rs860526).

Main Results:

  • Significant within-family associations were found between AANM and HDC gene SNPs rs854163 (P=0.0018) and rs854158 (P=0.0197).
  • SNP rs854163 maintained its significant association with AANM after 1000 permutations.
  • Haplotype block 2 of the HDC gene showed a significant association with AANM (P=0.0397).

Conclusions:

  • Polymorphisms in the HDC gene are significantly associated with age at natural menopause (AANM).
  • These findings suggest a genetic link between histamine biosynthesis and menopausal timing in Caucasian women.

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