Genetic association of AKAP10 gene polymorphism with reduced risk of preterm birth

Objective:preterm birth (ptb) is a multifactorial complication in which genetic and environmental factors contribute to the phenotype. the akap10 protein encoded by akap10 gene has a vital role in the maintenance of myometrial quiescence and pregnancy. this study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in the akap10 gene are associated with the risk of ptb.study design:a total of 664 women (132 preterm and 532 term) with spontaneous singleton deliveries were genotyped for akap10 polymorphisms (rs119672, rs203462 and rs169412) using sequenom massarray platform.result:a significant association was observed between the cc and ac genotypes of akap10 rs169412 with reduced risk of ptb (cc: adjusted odds ratio (or) 2.95, 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.23–7.09, p=0.016. ac: adjusted or 3.46, 95% ci: 1.38–8.68, p=0.008), respectively. following stratification by ethnicity, a significant association was observed between the ac and cc genotypes of rs169412 and term birth in the malay ethnic subgroup. (cc: or 2.9, 95% ci: 1.01–8.59, p=0.041. ac: or 3.14, 95% ci: 1.04–9.54, p=0.043). a significant association was also observed between the ct genotypes of akap10 rs119672 with reduced risk of ptb deliveries (ct: or 3.2, 95% ci: 1.06–9.76 p=0.007, tt: or 2.8, 0.98–8.34, p =.0.015) alternatively, there was no association between akap10 rs169412 and rs119672 polymorphisms with ptb in the indians and chinese ethnic groups.conclusion:this study indicates a significant association between the akap10 polymorphisms and reduced risk of ptb in the malays. this demonstrates the potential role of akap10 polymorphisms in preterm complications.