Mutation analysis of CACNA1A gene in Iranian migrainous and review literatures

BACKGROUND: There are contrary results about the role of CACNA1A gene in the causation of common migraine in different populations. However, migraine may be genetically heterogeneous and more studies in different families and populations are required for a definite conclusion. The aim of this study was to surveyed leukocyte genomic DNA mutation of CACNA1A in Iranian migraine patients with [MA] and without aura [MO] who has family history of migraine and we performed a narrative review of all studies that evaluated CACNA1A gene, non-hemiplegic migraine [MA and MO] and FHM [familial hemiplegic migraine]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 30 patients with family history of migraine were selected for mutations analysis for CACNA1A gene by PCR method. For review, we searched MEDLINE-PUBMED, ISI, Scopus and Cochrane databases up to December 2012. RESULTS: Mutation analysis of the 4 exons of the CACNA1A gene in these patients revealed no mutations in this gene. Direct sequencing revealed a polymorphism previously reported G to A transition in the exon 16 [nt2369, G→A] in 9 patients. In review, the correlation of FHM loci [CACNA1A gene] with MA and MO has been showed in different population and only small population from Caucasians presented this correlation. CONCLUSION: CACNA1A is most likely not a major susceptibility gene for common migraine in Iranian maigrainous. It's essential to study more on larger series and covering all 47 exons of the CACNA1A gene to confirm this hypothesis.