Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Functional polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene in alcohol dependence: Family and case control study


Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are extracellularly acting endopeptidases, whose substrates are extracellular matrix and adhesion proteins.

In the gene polymorphism studies MMP-9 has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of heart disease, cancer, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In animal models MMP-9 has been shown to play a key role in a variety of neuronal plasticity phenomena, including learning and memory as well as drug addiction.

We found a statistically significant preferential transmission of the T allele (known to produce higher gene transcriptional activity) from parents to alcoholics (59%, p = 0.046). In case-control study genotype TT and T alleles were significantly more frequent in the alcoholics than in the controls (OR = 2.6).

Our results suggest that the MMP-9 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of alcohol dependence.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: samoj@sci.pam.szczecin.pl


___________________________________________