Frequency of the common promoter polymorphism MMP2 −1306 C>T in a population from central Bulgaria

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of highly homologous extracellular Zn(2+)-dependent endopeptidases, also known as matrixins. MMP-2 (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B) are considered to play a key role in a variety of physiological processes as well as in the development and progression of a vast majority of pathological conditions. Most of the genes encoding MMPs, including MMP-2, are highly polymorphic. One of the single nucleotide polymorphisms with functional activity in the promoter region of MMP2 is the transition MMP2 −1306C>T (rs243865). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genotype and allele frequencies of the common promoter polymorphism −1306C>T in MMP2 in 75 individuals from central Bulgaria and to compare our results with those of other population studies. We found that 76.0% of the randomly enrolled individuals are carriers of the CC genotype, 17.3% of CT, and 6.7% of the TT genotype. The minor allele frequency (MAF) was 15.3%. Interestingly, the obtained genotype frequencies appeared to differ from those of some other Caucasian populations (USA – 55/38/7, MAF 26%; The Netherlands – 52.8/40.5/6.7, MAF 26.9%; Austria – 55.6/35.5/8.9, MAF 27.2%), but were closer to the values of the reported global genotype distribution (75.3/21.3/3.4, MAF 14%).