RAR‐related orphan receptor A: One gene with multiple functions related to migraine

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims</jats:title><jats:p>RAR‐related orphan receptor (<jats:italic>RORA</jats:italic>) involves in regulation of several biological processes including inflammation and circadian rhythm that probably are involved in migraine pathophysiology. In the current study, the association between <jats:italic>RORA</jats:italic> rs11639084 and rs4774388 variants and susceptibility to migraine were investigated in a sample of Iranian migraine patients for the first time.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>In a case‐control study including 400 participants, 200 migraineurs and 200 healthy controls, genotyping of <jats:italic>RORA</jats:italic> rs4774388 and rs11639084 polymorphisms was performed using tetra‐primer amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (TP‐ARMS‐PCR).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The distribution of rs4774388 C/T and T/T genotypes differed significantly between the studied groups. Moreover, an association was observed between rs4774388 and migraine under the recessive mode of inheritance (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.002; OR = 1.89.; CI = 1.25‐2.87). The distribution of rs11639084 alleles and genotypes was not significantly different between migraineurs and healthy controls.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>Current results suggest <jats:italic>RORA</jats:italic>, as a molecular link, may explain inflammation and circadian rhythm dysfunction in migraine. Further studies in different ethnicities are required to confirm the function of <jats:italic>RORA</jats:italic> in migraine development.</jats:p></jats:sec>