Thrombomodulin Ala455Val dimorphism is not associated with pre-eclampsia in Australian and New Zealand women.

Thrombomodulin plays an important role in thromboresistance. A common mutation of the gene at amino acid 455 producing valine instead of alanine has been implicated as being a risk factor in myocardial infarction and chronic heart disease. However, its link with pre-eclampsia remains controversial. This report explores the Ala455Val point mutation in 280 women as a predictor of pre-eclampsia with the conclusion that in this regard, the dimorphism is essentially neutral.