Association between PON 1 polymorphisms, PON activity and diabetes complications

Abstract

The paraoxonase (PON) gene cluster maps to human chromosome 7q21-22. In the PON 1 gene, several polymorphisms in the promoter and coding regions have been identified and are known to influence gene expression levels. Promoter polymorphisms have been shown to have the strongest influence on paraoxonase activity levels. Paraoxonase, a high-density lipoprotein associated enzyme, protects lipoproteins from oxidation. Lipid oxidation may play an important role in the development of micro- and macrovascular disease. There is evidence that paraoxonase activity is reduced in patients with diabetes. We therefore hypothesise that PON 1genotypes influence paraoxonase activity levels and increase the ri..