ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF A POLYMORPHISM OF THE MONOAMINE-OXIDASE-B GENE WITH PARKINSONS-DISEASE IN A JAPANESE POPULATION

The polymorphic allele of the monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) gene detecte d by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) was associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Ca ucasians, We characterized this polymorphic allele, allele 1, of the M AO-B gene using direct sequencing of PCR products. A single DNA substi tution (G-A), resulting gain of Mae III restriction site was detected in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene, The allele associated with PD in Cauca sians was twice as frequent as in healthy Japanese, but the associatio n of the allele of the MAO-B gene was not observed in Japanese patient s with PD. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.