The association between dilated cardiomyopathy and RTN4 3′UTR insertion/deletion polymorphisms

BackgroundThe Nogo isoforms A, B and C are members of the reticulon family of proteins. Nogo-B is found in most tissues, especially highly expressed in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall, and Nogo-B is a regulator of cell migration in vitro and vascular remodeling in vivo. The TATC and CAA 3′UTR insertion/deletion polymorphisms of the RTN4, the gene encoding Nogo isoforms A, B and C, have been linked to schizophrenia and depression, but data were inconsistent. However, it is unclear whether these polymorphisms are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).MethodsA total of 159 DCM patients and 215 control subjects were recruited in this study. The RTN4 TATC and CAA insertion/deletion genotypes were determined using PCR-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.ResultsFrequencies of (TATC)2 allele and (TATC)2/(TATC)2 genotype were significantly different from that in healthy controls (P = 0.045, OR = 1.356, 95% CI = 1.006–1.827 and P = 0.021, OR = 2.094, 95% CI = 1.113–3.940, respectively). No significant differences in CAA insertion/deletion genotype and allele frequencies were observed between the DCM and controls.ConclusionThese data provide evidence that RTN4 allele (TATC)2 and (TATC)2/(TATC)2 genotype are associated with DCM.