Leucine 7-proline 7 polymorphism in the signal peptide of neuropeptide Y is not a risk factor for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE

Because of the regulatory role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in angiogenesis, we set out to determine the presence of the leucine 7-proline 7 (Leu7Pro) polymorphism in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and to analyse its implications.

METHODS

Genotype analysis of the Leu7Pro polymorphism in the signal peptide region of the human prepro-NPY was performed in blood samples from exudative AMD patients (n = 240) and control subjects (n = 79).

RESULTS

In all, 11% of exudative AMD patients and 14% of control subjects exhibited the NPY signal peptide Leu7Pro polymorphism. There were no statistically significant differences in Leu7Pro polymorphism frequency between the exudative AMD and control cases, as analysed by Fisher's exact two-sided test.

CONCLUSIONS

Leu7Pro polymorphism in the signal peptide region of the human prepro-NPY is not a risk factor for exudative AMD.