Systematic genetic analysis of the PITX3 gene in patients with Parkinson disease.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Paired-like homodomain transcription factor 3 has been found to be important for the differentiation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. METHODS: To determine whether genetic variation in the coding region of the paired-like homodomain transcription factor 3 gene plays a role in Parkinson's disease, genetic analysis was performed in 112 patients with Parkinson's disease. RESULTS: We did not identify any mutations except rs2281983, but when we extended the analysis of rs2281983 and 2 intron variants (rs4919621 and rs3758549) in 336 patients with Parkinson's disease and 244 controls, we found that rs2281983 and rs4919621 appeared to confer susceptibility to Parkinson's disease, especially in early-onset Parkinson's disease and familial Parkinson's disease.