Genotype distribution of the mutations in the coagulation factor V gene in the Korean population: Absence of its association with coronary artery disease

Factor V Leiden in an Urartian, Dating Back to 1000 BC

Factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common monogenic disorder that causes activated protein C (APC) resistance, creating hyper-coagulation. The mutation shows an uneven geographic distribution, significantly high in European populations. The mutation is believed to have originated approximately 20 000 years ago probably from a geographic region close to Anatolia. This fact makes it noteworthy to search for the mutation in ancient populations that once lived in this area. One of these civilizations, Urartu was centered around Van Lake in Eastern Turkey. The archeological remains from the excavations of the region are dated back to 1000 BC. Teeth, taken from the excavations of Van Yoncatepe fortress, were taken into DNA analysis considering all the precautions for ancient DNA analysis. Multiplex STR (Short Tandem Repeats) analysis were performed both to determine the gender of the samples and to conclude that the samples are preserved from modern DNA contamination. After getting an 80% amplification success for amelogenin, a melting curve analysis using lightcycler was performed to determine the FVL genotype of each sample. Of the 60 samples, 1 gave a positive amplification result for FV gene and was found to be heterozygous. To date, the age of this mutation was estimated based on statistical calculations using haplotype frequencies; here for the first time, we report FVL in an ancient population of 3000 years.

Prevalence of the Factor V G1691A and the Factor II/prothrombin G20210A gene polymorphisms among Tamilians

We have investigated the prevalence of the Factor II G20210A and Factor V G1691A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a South Indian-Tamil Nadu population. The SNP genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and by a recently FDA-approved LightCycler real-time PCR assay. Of 72 samples that were genotyped, 4 (5.5%) patients were heterozygous for the Factor V SNP and no homozygous mutant patients were identified. None of the patients were shown to be either heterozygous or homozygous mutant for the Factor II SNP. All samples showed 100% concordance between the PCR/RFLP assay and the LightCycler assay. While this study identified the prevalence of the Factor V SNP to be similar to that of other reported populations, the absence of the Factor II allele is consistent with reports in more isolated populations. In addition, the results of this study do not support a role for these SNPs in acute myocardial infarction in the Tamilian population.