Epigenetic approach to early-onset Parkinson’s disease: low methylation status of SNCA and PARK2 promoter regions

Abstract

Background and aim

The effect of epigenetic modifications in the genes related to Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated methylation status of SNCA and PARK2 genes in patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD).

Materials and methods

The promoter region methylation status of SNCA and PARK2 genes was evaluated by methylation specific-PCR (MSP) in 91 patients with EOPD and 52 healthy individuals.

Results

The methylation of SNCA and PARK2 promoter regions were significantly lower in EOPD patients compared to the control group (P = 0.013 and P = 0.03, respectively). We also found that the methylation status of the SNCA might be associated with positive family history of PD (P = 0.042).

Conclusion

Although it should be supported by further analysis, based on the results of the present study, the methylation status of SNCA and PARK2 genes might contribute to EOPD pathogenesis.

Keywords:

• Early-onset Parkinson’s disease
• epigenetic
• methylation
• SNCA
• PARK2

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Scientific Research Projects Foundation of the Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey [Project No. KUAP(T)-2013/43].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.