The LEPR Q223R polymorphism as a potential bioindicator of class II malocclusion

Malocclusions are known to have multifactorial etiology that includes a strong hereditary linkage. One of the genes involved is the LEPR gene on chromosomal locus 1p31, suggested to affect the occurrence of retrognatic mandible. The present work aimed to determine the LEPRQ223R (rs1137101) polymorphism status and its possible association with class II malocclusions in an Indonesian population. For this purpose, LEPR Q223R polymorphism status was determined using the PCR-RFLP technique from peripheral blood of 110 consenting Indonesians, including 47 subjects with Class II malocclusion (MO group) and 63 subjects with Class I malocclusion (control). The Genotyped AA of the LEPR Q223R polymorphism occurred at significantly (p = 0.048)and also dominant allele A of the LEPR Q223R polymorphism occurred at significantly (p = 0.05) higher frequency in the MO group than in the control group. Therefore genotyped AA and allele A can be considered to carry a risk of Class II malocclusion. The difference is not large (p-value close to 0.05) and it is recommended to repeat the exercise with a substantially larger sample of subjects and in combination with other potentially relevant polymorphisms.