Primary Angle Closure and Sequence Variants within MicroRNA Binding Sites of Genes Involved in Eye Development

PURPOSE The formation of primary angle closure (PAC) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is regulated by a tissue remodeling pathway that plays a critical role in eye development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful gene expression regulators and may exert their effects on tissue remodeling genes. This study investigated the associations between gene variants (single-nucleotide polymorphism, SNP) in miRNA binding sites in the 3'-UTR region of genes involved in eye development and PAC. METHODS The sample consisted of 232 PAC subjects and 306 controls obtained from a population-based cohort in the Funing District of Jiangsu, China. The markers include 9 SNPs in the COL11A1, PCMTD1, ZNRF3, MTHFR, and ALPPL2 genes respectively. SNP genotyping was performed with a TaqMan-MGB probe using an RT-PCR system. RESULTS Of the 9 SNPs studied, the frequency of the minor A allele of COL11A1 rs1031820 was higher in the PAC group than in the control group in allele analysis (p = 0.047). The genotype analysis indicated that MTHFR rs1537514 is marginally associated with PAC (p = 0.014). The CC genotype of rs1537514 was present solely in the PAC group. However, the differences lost significance after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a possible association of COL11A1 and MTHFR with PAC in the Han Chinese population. These results will contribute to an improved understanding of the genetic basis of PACG.