The role of A268V exon-7 polymorphism of PPARA in development of axial spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the axial skeleton. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARA) is an intracellular transcription factor, which play a role in inflammation and osteoblasting activity. This study is designed to investigate the relationship of NG_012204.2:p.Ala268Val polymorphism of PPARA with axSpA risk and its role in disease development. Methods This study was conducted with 168 patients and 181 controls. Genotyping was done with MALDITOF. Gene expression level was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein homology models of PPARA were created with ProMod3. Ligand binding dynamics were tested using the AutoDock4 docking program. Statistical evaluations were made with SPSS (ver24) and GeneGlobe. Results Our results showed that C>T polymorphism causing NG_012204.2:p.Ala268Val change was associated with disease risk (p=0.024) and T allele increased disease risk 1.7 times (95% CI=1.070–2.594). PPARA expression decreased (p<0.05) in individuals carrying the T allele. We determined that the ligand entry pocket was opened 1.1 Å in the polymorphic PPARA. Polymorphic change caused a decrease in the ligand binding affinity. Conclusions Our results provide an important contribution to elucidating the development of axSpA and demonstrate the potential of PPARA as a marker for the diagnosis of axSpA.