Lack of Association betweenPRNPM129V Polymorphism and Multiple Sclerosis, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alcoholism and Schizophrenia in a Korean Population

Abstract

The genetic variant at codon 129 (M129V) of the prion protein gene (PRNP) is considered to be a major genetic risk factor for prion diseases. In this study, we examined the possible genetic association ofPRNP*129Valwith multiple sclerosis (MS,n= 681), mild cognitive impairment (MCI,n= 801), alcoholism (n= 761) and schizophrenia (n= 715) in a Korean population, and compared the data with previous genetic association studies of the variant. The minor allele frequency ofPRNP*129Val(MAF = 0.025) was significantly lower in Korean population (n= 2,479) compared to Caucasian populations (P< 0.0001), suggestive of a weak influence of the variant in the previous population. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association betweenPRNP*129Valand MS (P = 0.76), MCI (P = 0.46), alcoholism (P = 0.84) and schizophrenia (P = 0.69). These findings were discussed in the context of prior inconsistent reports on the role ofPRNP*129Valpolymorphism in several diseases. Results from this study may provide further evidence thatPRNP M129Vis not a genetic susceptibility factor for MS, MCI, alcoholism and schizophrenia in a Korean population.