To evaluate the relationship of the polymorphism of LMP2 and LMP7 genes and the phenotype of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).One hundred and eighteen blood samples were collected from patients with AS and acute anterior uveitis(AAU). HLA-B(27) typing was performed and LMP2 and LMP7 amplified fragment length polymorphisms were determined after PCR and digestion with Cfo I restriction enzyme in the study.There was a significantly increased LMP2 BB genotype frequency in patients with AS+AAU(86.9%) and AAU(87%), compared with controls(53.3%) and AS patients(63.1%)(P<0.05); the odds ratio(OR) relating LMP2 BB and AAU was 5.83, and the OR for AS+AAU was 3.71. No difference was found between adult AS and junior AS and between AS patients with and without extraspinal arthritis. No difference was found in LMP7 genotype.The polymorphism of LMP2 gene is strongly associated with the development of AAU in AS patients and in uncomplicated AAU patients, but not with the age at onset and the type of joints affected.