Association between PKA gene polymorphism and NTDs in high risk Chinese population in Shanxi.

This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PKA and neural tube defects (NTDs) in Chinese population. A total of 183 NTDs cases and 200 healthy controls were used in this study. 7 selected single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the PKA gene were analyzed with MassArray high-throughput DNA analyzer with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. A series of statistical methods were carried out to investigate the correlation between the SNPs and the patient susceptibility to NTDs. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the SNP sites rs12132032 in PRKACB and NTDs. The AA genotype, A-allele and dominant AA in rs12132032 significantly increased the incidence of NTDs especially anencephaly (OR=3.87, 95% CI: 1.80-8.34 with genotype; OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.43-3.04 with allele; OR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.53-6.26 with dominant). The T-allele of rs594631 in PRKACB was correlative with NTDs in male but not in female. The gene polymorphism loci rs12132032 in PRKACB maybe a potential risk factor for anencephaly in Chinese population from Shanxi, while gender susceptibility may influence the correlation.