Single nucleotide polymorphisms V4 and T1 of the ADAM33 gene in Venezuelan patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ADAM33 is a metalloproteinase important in the extracellular matrix for tissue remodeling, and, consequently, in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several polymorphisms of the ADAM33 gene have been associated with enzyme activity. One of the most studied polymorphisms is V4, cytosine for guanine in the 3 'UTR region, and T1, adenine for guanine in the exon 19 of the gen. The aim of this study was to ascertain the possible association among single polymorphisms of ADAM33, V4 and T1, in Venezuelan patients with asthma or COPD. The polymorphisms V4 and T1 were analyzed in 303 individuals (103 asth- matic, 100 COPD and 100 controls) by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the frequency of ADAM33 V4 polymorphism in both, asthmatic and COPD patients groups, as compared to controls. No significant differences (P=0.4) were found for T1 polymorphism. However, there were significant differences (P<O.05) when haplotypes and diplotypes of ADAM33 V4/T1 were compared in all three groups. It can be concluded that the polymorphism V4 of ADAM33 is associated with asthma or COPD in Venezuelan patients.