Mutations in the alpha-synuclein gene in Parkinson's disease among Indians

Objective - To investigate the prevalence of G88C, G209A and any other muta tion(s) in exons 3 and 4 of the alpha -synuclein gene in Indian patients wi th Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods - A total of 169 PD patients comprisin g 18 familial, 3 juvenile, 48 early onset and 100 sporadic cases were inclu ded in this study. Genomic DNA was amplified by PCR using primers specific for Exons 3 and 4. Mutations at G88C and G209A were screened following rest riction enzyme digestion of the PCR product. Direct PCR product sequencing of entire exons 3 and 4 was carried out for at least one proband each from the 10 familial cases. Results Neither G88C and G209A mutations nor any oth er mutation in exons 3 and 4 was found in the PD patients analysed. Conclus ion - The G88C and G209A mutations do not seem to be the predominant geneti c determinant of PD among Indians.