Frequency of Pro475Ser polymorphism of ADAMTS13 gene and its association with ADAMTS-13 activity in the Korean population

The in vitro study suggested that proline to serine polymorphism in codon 475 (C1423T) of the A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats-13 (ADAMTS-13) gene is related to reduced activity of ADAMTS-13. In this study, the frequency of the Pro475Ser polymorphism in Koreans was studied and plasma ADAMTS-13 activity was measured to find out whether this polymorphism contributes to decreased ADAMTS-13 activity in Koreans. The frequency of the C1423T allele of the ADAMTS13 gene was studied along with measuring plasma ADAMTS-13 activity in 250 healthy Korean individuals. The allele frequency of C1423T polymorphism was 4%, and the median activity of CT type was 107 (69-143)%, which was lower than in controls with the CC genotype [118 (48-197)%, (p=0.021)]. Therefore, the Pro475Ser polymorphism seems to be popular in the Korean population, and attenuates ADAMTS-13 plasma activity.