Possible association between genetic variants at the GRIN1 gene and schizophrenia with lifetime history of depressive symptoms in a German sample

Psychiatr Genet. 2007 Oct;17(5):308-10. doi: 10.1097/YPG.0b013e3280c1e5fb.

Abstract

Genetic variation in glutamatergic signalling pathways is believed to play a substantial role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit gene GRIN1 has been proposed as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. We tested for a potential association between schizophrenia and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4880213, rs11146020, rs6293, and rs10747050) and one microsatellite marker at GRIN1 in a German sample of 354 patients and 323 controls. We found significant associations in single-marker and haplotype-based analyses (P<0.05). Significance was more pronounced (P<0.01) in the subset of patients with a lifetime history of major depression, a subgroup of schizophrenia described previously as a promising phenotypic subtype in genetic studies of schizophrenia. Although significances did not withstand correction for multiple testing, the results of our exploratory analysis warrant further studies on GRIN1 and schizophrenia.

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Depressive Disorder / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • GRIN1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate