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Natriuretic peptide precursor B gene (TTTC)(n) microsatellite polymorphism in pre-eclampsia
Gábor Szabó1, Attila Molvarec, Balázs Stenczer
11st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Summary
This study investigated the natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB) gene polymorphism in pre-eclampsia. Specific NPPB genotypes were associated with altered pre-eclampsia risk and elevated natriuretic peptide B (BNP) levels.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Reproductive Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- A variable tandem repeat polymorphism exists in the 5'-flanking region of the natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB) gene.
- Previous research linked NPPB gene (TTTC) small tandem repeat (STR) variants to essential hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the NPPB gene (TTTC) polymorphism in pre-eclamptic patients and healthy controls.
- To compare plasma natriuretic peptide B (BNP) concentrations between these groups.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 235 healthy pregnant women and 220 women with pre-eclampsia.
- Utilized fluorescent PCR and DNA fragment analysis to detect (TTTC) repeats in the NPPB gene.
- Measured plasma BNP concentration using a fluorescence immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Identified 12 different (TTTC) repeat variants in the NPPB gene.
- Found significant differences in allele and genotype distributions between control and pre-eclamptic groups.
- Observed lower frequencies of 10-repeat and 12-repeat genotypes and a higher frequency of the 11-repeat genotype in pre-eclamptic women.
- Noted significantly higher plasma BNP concentrations in pre-eclamptic women compared to controls (32.40 pg/ml vs. 9.75 pg/ml).
- Associated the 11/11 genotype with significantly higher BNP levels in both groups.
Conclusions:
- The NPPB gene (TTTC) microsatellite polymorphism shows distinct allele and genotype distributions in pre-eclampsia compared to healthy pregnancies.
- Elevated BNP concentrations in pre-eclamptic women are associated with specific (TTTC) genotypes.
- Developed a fast and reliable F-PCR and DNA fragment analysis method for detecting this STR polymorphism.
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