Short communication: genetic variations of SLC2A9 in relation to Parkinson's disease

Background: Epidemiological studies showed that higher plasma urate was associated with lower risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) and slower disease progression. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) consistently showed that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the solute carrier family 2 member 9 gene (SLC2A9) were associated with plasma urate concentration and the risk of gout. Methods: We conducted a case-control study to examine twelve tag SNPs of the SLC2A9 gene in relation to PD among 788 cases and 911 controls of European ancestry. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, smoking and caffeine consumption. Results: These SNPs were all in linkage disequilibrium (R-2 > 0.7). None of them were associated with PD risk. Among women, however, there was a suggestion that the presence of the minor allele of one SNP (rs7442295) was related to a small increase in PD risk [OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.01-2.16)]. Conclusion: This study provides little support for genetic variations of SLC2A9 and PD risk.