No association between the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphisms and schizophrenia in a Japanese population

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotrophic cytokine and exerts neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects in brain. Several studies have indicated that TNF-alpha is likely related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Recent genetic investigations have revealed that a TNF-alpha gene promoter polymorphism (-G308A) is associated with schizophrenia, although negative findings have also been reported. To assess whether the TNF-alpha gene promoter variants including -G308A could be implicated in vulnerability to schizophrenia, we conducted a case-control association analysis (265 cases and 424 controls) and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis (83 trios) for four polymorphisms (-G238A, -G308A, -C857T and -T1031C) in Japanese subjects. In a case-control analysis, there was no significant association between the promoter polymorphisms or haplotypes in the TNF-alpha gene and schizophrenia. In the TDT analysis, we also did not observe transmission distortion. Our results suggest that the above four polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene appear not to confer increased susceptibility for schizophrenia in a Japanese population.     

Association between schizophrenia and the syntaxin 1A gene.

BACKGROUND: Both microarray and candidate molecule studies have demonstrated that protein and mRNA expression of syntaxin and other genes involved in synaptic function are altered in the cerebral cortex of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Genetic association between polymorphic markers in the syntaxin 1A gene and schizophrenia was assessed in a matched case-control sample of 192 pairs, and in an independent sample of 238 nuclear families. RESULTS: In the family-based sample, a significant genetic association was found between schizophrenia and one of the four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tested: an intron 7 SNP (transmission disequilibrium test [TDT] chi(2) = 5.898; df = 1; p =.015, family-based association test [FBAT] z = 2.280, p =.023). When the results for the TDT and case-control analyses were combined, the association was stronger (n = 430; z(c) = 2.859; p =.004). Haplotype analysis supported the association with several significant values that appear to be driven by the intron 7 SNP. Conclusions: The results should be treated with caution until replicated, but this is the first report of a genetic association between syntaxin 1A and schizophrenia.     

Further evidence that the chromogranin B gene confers predisposition to schizophrenia: a family-based association study in Chinese

Summary The Chromogranin B (CHGB) gene has been proposed as a candidate gene for predisposition to schizophrenia due to its location on the genome, the evidence of genetic studies, and its functional role in schizophrenia. To investigate its association with schizophrenia using case-control analysis, we genotyped eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and performed transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT) using 192 Han Chinese trios. The G allele of IVS4 + 808A > G showed a trend of over-transmission from heterozygous parents to affected offspring (P = 0.06), although no significant over-transmission was found for individual markers. Furthermore, a significant transmission was observed for the common haplotype G-G-A-G-C (P = 0.0018). Overall, our results suggest that at least one locus in or close to the CHGB gene confers risk of the disorder and strengthen the evidence that CHGB is a promising susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population. First three authors contributed equally to this work.     

Association and linkage disequilibrium between a functional polymorphism of the dopamine-2 receptor gene and schizophrenia in a genetically homogeneous Portuguese population

A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the DRD2 gene has been found to be associated with schizophrenia in Japanese(1,2) and Swedish populations.(3) We attempted to replicate these findings in a genetically homogeneous Portuguese population using a family-based study design. Analysis of 78 trios revealed evidence for association between the -141 C Ins allele and schizophrenia using the haplotype relative risk (HRR) method (chi(2) = 9.30, P = 0.0023). Further examination of this sample using an alternative family-based association analysis method, the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), of 33 informative matings from the Portuguese trios provided evidence for an allelic association and linkage disequilibrium between the insertion allele and schizophrenia (chi(2) = 8.76, P = 0.0031). These consistent results using two alternative family-based association analysis methods replicate the findings of previous reports, and thus further implicate a potential role for the dopamine-2 receptor in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia.     

A family-based study of the association between the G72/G30 genes and schizophrenia in the Chinese population

Studies have shown a strong positive association between schizophrenia and G72/G30, demonstrated by both individual markers and haplotypes. A further functional study also supports the role of G72 in the etiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we have replicated these results of transmission/disequilibrium testing (TDT) and haplotype analysis in the Han Chinese population, showing P values of 0.0018 and 0.00007 for individual markers and haplotypes, respectively. Hence, our data supports the hypothesis that G72/G30 are important candidate genes for explaining schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population.     

Analysis of childhood absence epilepsy using haplotype-based haplotype relative risk and transmission disequilibrium test

The authors performed haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis of childhood absence epilepsy in 30 trios families, using gene typing technology based on microsatellite polymorphic marker. The five microsatellite DNA markers (D8S554, D8S1753, D8S534, D8S1100, D8S1783) used in the study are on chromosome 8q24. HHRR shows D8S554(4) (chi2 = 5.939, P < 0.05), D8S1100(3) (chi2 = 5.081, P < 0.05), D8S1783(6) (chi2 = 4.308, P < 0.05), TDT shows D8S554(4) (chi2 = 4.455, P < 0.05), D8S1783(6) (chi2 = 4, P < 0.05), some signs of association and disequilibrium between these loci and CAE. A suspected association of childhood absence epilepsy in the Chinese population to chromosome 8q24 has been proposed. In addition, it is hypothesized that the CAE gene might have a genetic heterogeneity in the population from a different race.     

肿瘤坏死因子基因与精神分裂症的传递不平衡研究

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)基因和肿瘤坏死因子-β(TNF-β)基因与精神分裂症的关系.方法 收集172个广东潮汕地区的精神分裂症核心家系,将172例精神分裂症患者分为偏执型(96例)和非偏执型(76例),用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法 ,检测所有研究对象的TNF-α的3个多态性位点(-C863A、-G308A、-G238A)和TNF-β+A252G位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率,并进行传递不平衡检验(TDT).结果 (1)单位点TDT检验,TNF-β+A252G位点杂合子父母过多地传递等位基因G给患者(X2=5.49,Pc＜0.05),而TNF-α的3个多态性位点(-C863A、-G308A、-G238A)均未发现传递不平衡.(2)多位点联合进行单体型分析,未显示在精神分裂症核心家系中存在传递不平衡;但在96个偏执型精神分裂症核心家系中,有一种常见单体型[(-863C,-308G,-238G,+252G);X2=7.20,Pc＜0.05]存在偏向传递.结论 在广东潮汕人群中,TNF-α和TNF-β基因与精神分裂症可能存在某些关联,该基因可能是偏执型精神分裂症的易感基因.     

Family-based association study of Epsin 4 and Schizophrenia

Recently, Pimm et al. identified Epsin 4 on chromosome 5q33 as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in the British population, based on linkage and association evidence. In Pimm's case-control study, both the single polymorphisms and the individual haplotypes at the 5' end of the gene showed genetic association with schizophrenia. Here, we report the first study evaluating the relevance of Epsin 4 and schizophrenia outside the British population. Markers showing positive results in the original work as well as two additional polymorphisms were genotyped in 308 Han Chinese family trios. Transmission disequilibrium analysis was used to test for association of single-locus markers and multi-locus haplotypes with schizophrenia. Although no individual marker was significant at the P=0.05 level, the haplotypes detected in our samples, different from those previously reported, showed strong evidence of association (most significant global P=0.0021). Our results indicate the presence of a locus near the 5' end of Epsin 4 conferring susceptibility to the disease and provide further support for Epsin 4 as an important potential contributor to genetic risk in schizophrenia.     

精神分裂症和心境障碍混合家系5-HTR 6基因多态性的关联分析

目的 在中国汉族人群精神分裂症和心境障碍混合家系中探讨五羟色胺6受体（5-HTR6）基因267C／T多态性与精神分裂症、心境障碍的关联性。方法 采用聚合酶链反应一限制性片断长度多态（PCR—RFLP）技术对67例精神病混合家系患者及其父母进行5-HTR6基因267C／T多态性检测,并予以传递不平衡检验（TDT）。结果 患者组与父母组之间,5-HTR6基因267C／T多态性等位基因分布（χ^2=2．70,v=1,P〉0．05）和基因型分布（χ^2=2．97,v=2,P〉0．05）无明显差异,5-HTR6基因267C／T多态性与精神分裂症（χ^2=5．16,P〈0．05）存在关联,但与心境障碍（χ^2=2．17,P〉0．05）无关联。结论 在中国汉族人群中5-HTR6基因或邻近基因可能是精神分裂症易患基因之一,但可能不是心境障碍的易患基因。     

Linkage and association of the glutamate receptor 6 gene with autism

A genome scan was previously performed and pointed to chromosome 6q21 as a candidate region for autism. This region contains the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6 or GRIK2) gene, a functional candidate for the syndrome. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is directly involved in cognitive functions such as memory and learning. We used two different approaches, the affected sib-pair (ASP) method and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), to investigate the linkage and association between GluR6 and autism. The ASP method, conducted with additional markers on the 51 original families and in eight new sibling pairs, showed a significant excess of allele sharing, generating an elevated multipoint maximum LOD score (ASPEX MLS = 3.28). TDT analysis, performed in the ASP families and in an independent data set of 107 parent-offspring trios, indicated a significant maternal transmission disequilibrium (TDTall P = 0.0004). Furthermore, TDT analysis (with only one affected proband per family) showed significant association between GluR6 and autism (TDT association P = 0.008). In contrast to maternal transmission, paternal transmission of GluR6 alleles was as expected in the absence of linkage, suggesting a maternal effect such as imprinting. Mutation screening was performed in 33 affected individuals, revealing several nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including one amino acid change (M867I) in a highly conserved domain of the intracytoplasmic C-terminal region of the protein. This change is found in 8% of the autistic subjects and in 4% of the control population and seems to be more maternally transmitted than expected to autistic males (P = 0.007). Taken together, these data suggest that GluR6 is in linkage disequilibrium with autism.     

Serotonin transporter gene and autism: a haplotype analysis in an Irish autistic population

The role of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders has been widely investigated. Two polymorphisms, an insertion/deletion in the promoter region and a 12 repeat allele in a variable nucleotide tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 2, drive higher expression of the 5-HTT gene. Four studies have shown nominally significant excess transmission of alleles of the 5-HTT gene in autism, while three studies have reported no excess transmission. This present study investigates the role of 5-HTT in the genetically homogenous Irish population. In all, 84 families were genotyped for five polymorphisms (three SNPs, a VNTR and an in/del). The analysis of allele transmissions using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was undertaken and indicated preferential transmission of the short promoter allele (TDT P-value=0.0334). Linkage disequilibrium between markers was calculated and haplotypes were assessed for excess transmission and odds ratios (ORs) to affected children. A number of haplotypes, especially those involving and surrounding SNP10, showed evidence of association. The ORs ranged from 1.2 to 2.4. The most significant haplotype associated with transmission to affected probands was the SNP10-VNTR-SNP18 haplotype (chi(2)=7.3023, P=0.0069, odds ratio=1.8). This haplotype included the 12 repeat allele of the VNTR, which is associated with increased expression and may play a subtle role in the early development of the brain in affected probands.     

Family-based linkage disequilibrium mapping using SNP marker haplotypes: application to a potential locus for schizophrenia at chromosome 22q11

Family-based linkage disequilibrium mapping using SNP markers is expected to be a major route to the identification of susceptibility alleles for complex diseases. However there are a number of methodological issues yet to be resolved, including the handling of extended haplotype data and analysis of haplotype transmission in sib-pair or family trio samples. In the present study, we have analysed two dinucleotide repeat and six SNP markers at the COMT locus at chromosome 22q11, a region implicated in psychosis, for transmission distortion in 198 Chinese schizophrenic family trios. When individual markers were analysed using the TDT, two showed modest evidence of transmission distortion (186C/T, P = 0.04; Val158Met, P = 0.01). Using haplotypes of paired markers analysed by the program TRANSMIT, the most significant P value was 0.001, for the Met158Val and 900ins/delC polymorphisms in the COMT gene. The global P value for the haplotypes of all six SNP markers tested was 0.004, largely a result of the excess transmission of two extended haplotypes which differed at the marker 408C/G. The exclusion of this marker from the analysis gave a global P value of 0.002 and produced a five marker haplotype system which was significant at P = 0.0006. This haplotype consisted of the alleles -287G:186C:Val158:900insC:ARVCF930C, which may represent a background haplotype for the transmission of a schizophrenia susceptibility allele at chromosome 22q11. Our results support the hypotheses that either COMT is itself a susceptibility gene, or more likely that this region of chromosome 22 contains a susceptibility gene that is in linkage disequilibrium with COMT alleles. Molecular Psychiatry (2000) 5, 77-84.     

Transmission of NOTCH4 and GRIK2 in a population of Han Chinese with schizophrenia and affective disorder*★

BACKGROUND： Increasing evidence suggests overlapped genetic susceptibility across traditional classification systems that divided psychotic disorders into schizophrenia or affective disorder. OBJECTIVE： This study aimed to explore whether schizophrenia and affective disorder share genetic susceptibility in NOTCH4 and GRIK2 loci in a population of Han Chinese. DESIGN： Repetitive measurements. SETTING： The experiment was carried out at Shanghai Mental Health Center and Hongkou Mental Health Center of Shanghai between January 2001 and June 2004. PARTICIPANTS： Sixty-five mixed pedigrees （suffering from various diseases, in combination with schizophrenia and affective disorder）, composed of 45 completed trios and 20 single-parent families, were selected from Shanghai Mental Health Center and Hongkou Mental Health Center of Shanghai between January 2001 and June 2004. Probands received clinical diagnosis according to ICD-10; an independent clinician used identical criteria to review all diagnoses. All subjects were Han Chinese in origin and provided informed consent. There were 65 probands and 110 parents among the subjects. The probands comprised 30 males and 35 females： 33 with schizophrenia, 32 with affective disorder, mean age of （30.9 ± 9.8） years, mean age of onset （24.3 ± 8.8） years, mean duration （6.6 ± 7.0） years, and mean age of parents （58.8 ±10.9） years. METHODS： DNA samples from probands and their biological parents were extracted from peripheral blood according to standard methods. Four polymorphisms, -1725T/G and -25T/C in NOTCH4, rs6922753T/C and rs2227283G/A in GRIK2, were amplified and genotyped with PCR-RFLP techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Association between NOTCH4, GRIK2 polymorphism, and schizophrenia was analyzed by transmission disequilibrium test （TDT）. RESULTS： Sixty-five probands and 110 parents were included in the result analysis, with no dropouts. The results showed that the -25T/C polymorphism of NOTCH4 associated significantly with affecti     

Transmission disequilibrium analysis of HLA class II DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1 polymorphisms in schizophrenia using family trios from a Han Chinese population

Our goal was to evaluate the role of HLA in the risk of developing schizophrenia, in a Han Chinese population. In several Japanese studies, there is evidence of association with DR1 and schizophrenia. A variety of other associations have been reported in other populations, including negative associations with DQbeta(*)0602 and positive associations with DR1(*)0101. Using sequence specific oligonucleotides, we genotyped four HLA markers (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1) in 165 family trios, consisting of Han Chinese schizophrenic subjects and their parents. Individual markers were analysed for transmission distortion in the trios using the transmission disequilibrium test. Multiple haplotype transmission was performed using the program TRANSMIT v2.5. The four markers were in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (P value from 0.002 to 0). There was no evidence of overall transmission disequilibrium for each of the four loci. For DRB1, we did not find transmission distortion for the DRB1(*)04 and DRB1(*)08 alleles, as reported previously, but the DRB1(*)03 allele was preferentially not transmitted (P=0.009), and the DRB1(*)13 allele was preferentially transmitted from parents to schizophrenic offspring (P=0.041). Using haplotypes of pairs of markers, a significant global P value of 0.019 was achieved when using DRB1 and DQA1, mainly as a result of the excess transmission of DRB1(*)13-DQA1(*)01 (P=0.012) and a deficit in transmission of DRB1(*)03-DQA1(*)05 (P=0.002). In summary, we did not confirm any of the specific HLA allelic associations reported previously in Japanese or other populations. However, our results are compatible with the view that this region of HLA might contain a susceptibility gene which is in linkage disequilibrium with DRB1 and DQA1 genes.     

The (CTG)n polymorphism in the NOTCH4 gene is not associated with schizophrenia in Japanese individuals

Background  

The human NOTCH4 gene is a candidate gene for schizophrenia due to its chromosomal location and neurobiological roles. In a British linkage study, NOTCH4 gene polymorphisms were highly associated with schizophrenia. In a Japanese case-control association study, however, these polymorphisms did not show significant associations with schizophrenia. We conducted a case-control study with Japanese subjects to explore an association between the triplet repeat polymorphism in the NOTCH4 gene and schizophrenia, including subtypes of schizophrenia, longitudinal disease course characteristics, and a positive family history for psychoses.     

α7-烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因多态性与精神分裂症的关联研究

目的 研究α7-熘碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因rs1042724多态性与精神分裂症的相关性。方法运用聚合酶链反应扩增及单核苷酸多态性的分子生物学技术，对符合精神分裂症诊断标准的98个先证者及其父母组成的核心家系，测定α7-烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因分型，进行精神分裂症的α7-烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因多态性的关联分析和传递不平衡（TDT）检验。结果TDT检验结果提示α7-烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因等位基因与精神分裂症之间的相关性（McNemarX^2=4．21，P〈0．05），且等位基因T携带者，其精神分裂症的易患性是C携带者的1．31倍（RR=1．31,X^2（RR）=3．96，P〈0．05）。结论 提示α7-烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体基因rs1042724与精神分裂症相关联。     

精神分裂症和亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因的核心家系研究

目的探讨亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因与中国西北地区汉族精神分裂症的关系。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法(PCR-RFLP),检测106个精神分裂症核心家系MTHFR基因的C677T和A1298C多态性,采用单倍体相对风险(HRR)和传递不平衡检验(TDT)分析MTHFR基因与精神分裂症的关系。结果①患者组与父母组MTHFR基因C677T和A1298C多态性基因型频率分布差异无统计学意义(x2=0.369,P>0.05;x2=1.214,P>0.05)。②HRR分析显示C677T、A1298C两位点等位基因在病例组和父母对照组的频数分布差异无统计学意义(x2=0.236,P>0.05;x2=3.327,P>0.05)。③TDT检验未发现C677T和A1298C两位点在精神分裂症中存在传递不平衡(x2=0.243,P>0.05;x2=2.123,P>0.05)。结论未发现MTHFR基因C677T和A1298C多态性与精神分裂症存在关联。     

α7烟碱乙酰胆碱受体基因与精神分裂症及吸烟行为的关系

目的 探讨α7烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体(nAchR)基因多态性与精神分裂症及吸烟行为的关系.方法 连续收集符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-IV)诊断标准的精神分裂症患者221例(患者组)和患者亲属432名(亲属组),评定患者吸烟情况;采用聚合酶链反应和限制性酶切技术,检测α7nAchR基因的rs1355920单...     

Family-based association study between G72/G30 genetic polymorphism and schizophrenia

Genetic variations in G72/G30 have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in several case-control studies. This gene is located in a genomic region known to contain susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. As case-control studies carry an increased risk of confounding through population stratification, we investigate whether the rs947267 (A/C) polymorphism is associated with schizophrenia in a family-based association study. This polymorphism is located within the G72/G30 gene and has been previously associated with bipolar disorders. The sample consisted of a total of 216 Chinese families that included an affected offspring and parents. Transmission disequilibrium analysis revealed a significant association between the G72/G30 rs947267 polymorphism and schizophrenia (P=0.016), with the A allele more commonly transmitted to patients. Further analysis stratified by sex showed that the A allele was significantly more overtransmitted than nontransmitted in the trios of male probands (P=0.031), but not in the trios of female probands. Our family-based association study supports the suggestion that the G72/G30 gene may be implicated in susceptibility to schizophrenia and there may be an interaction between this gene and sex in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.