High frequency of LRRK2 p.Gly2019Ser in Moroccan Parkinson's disease: RFLP as a reliable genotyping approach

The LRRK2 c.6055G>A (p.Gly2019Ser) mutation represents one of the most frequent genetic causes of autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD) worldwide. Morocco exhibits the highest documented global prevalence of this variant, with carrier rates approaching 38.8% among clinically diagnosed patients. This exceptional frequency positions the Moroccan population as a strategic reference point for genotype-driven PD research and therapeutic development. To capitalize on this epidemiological advantage while addressing infrastructural and financial constraints, we propose Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) as a cost-effective and scalable genotyping alternative. RFLP allows precise single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection via selective enzymatic digestion, and is seamlessly integrated into standard PCR workflows. By screening for the LRRK2 c.6055G>A mutation in a Moroccan cohort and performing comparative analysis with Sanger sequencing, we demonstrated the methodological robustness and strategic value of RFLP genotyping. This approach proved to be a reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective alternative, particularly suitable for routine screening in resource-limited settings.