Dopamine transporter genetic variants and pesticides in Parkinson's disease - PubMed (original) (raw)

Dopamine transporter genetic variants and pesticides in Parkinson's disease

Beate R Ritz et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Research suggests that independent and joint effects of genetic variability in the dopamine transporter (DAT) locus and pesticides may influence Parkinson's disease (PD) risk.

Methods: In 324 incident PD patients and 334 population controls from our rural California case-control study, we genotyped rs2652510, rs2550956 (for the DAT 5' clades), and the 3' variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). Using geographic information system methods, we determined residential exposure to agricultural maneb and paraquat applications. We also collected occupational pesticide use data. Employing logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) for clade diplotypes, VNTR genotype, and number of susceptibility (A clade and 9-repeat) alleles and assessed susceptibility allele-pesticide interactions.

Results: PD risk was increased separately in DAT A clade diplotype carriers [AA vs. BB: OR = 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-2.57] and 3' VNTR 9/9 carriers (9/9 vs. 10/10: OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 0.96-3.57), and our data suggest a gene dosing effect. Importantly, high exposure to paraquat and maneb in carriers of one susceptibility allele increased PD risk 3-fold (OR = 2.99; 95% CI, 0.88-10.2), and in carriers of two or more alleles more than 4-fold (OR = 4.53; 95% CI, 1.70-12.1). We obtained similar results for occupational pesticide measures.

Discussion: Using two independent pesticide measures, we a) replicated previously reported gene-environment interactions between DAT genetic variants and occupational pesticide exposure in men and b) overcame previous limitations of nonspecific pesticide measures and potential recall bias by employing state records and computer models to estimate residential pesticide exposure.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that DAT genetic variability and pesticide exposure interact to increase PD risk.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; dopamine transporter; gene-environmental interactions; occupational and environmental exposures; pesticides.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Bagade S, Allen NC, Tanzi R, Bertram L. The PDGene Database. Alzheimer Research Forum; 2008. [[accessed 20 June 2008]]. Available: http://www.pdgene.org/
    1. Brown TP, Rumsby PC, Capleton AC, Rushton L, Levy LS. Pesticides and Parkinson’s disease—is there a link? Environ Health Perspect. 2006;114:156–164. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chester G, Ward RJ. Occupational exposure and drift hazard during aerial application of paraquat to cotton. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1984;13(5):551–563. - PubMed
    1. Costello S, Cockburn MG, Bronstein J, Zhang X, Ritz B. Parkinson disease and residential exposure to maneb and paraquat from agricultural applications in the Central Valley of California. Am Journal Epidemiol. 2009;169:919–926. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Currier WW, MacCollom GB, Baumann GL. Drift residues of air-applied carbaryl in an orchard environment. Entomology. 1982;75(6):1062–1068. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources