Objective: To investigate the association of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene polymorphism with the development of early-onset schizophrenia.
Methods: A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6119954) of DNMT3B gene was genotyped in 279 early-onset schizophrenic patients and 395 healthy controls, using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. To detect the interaction between the DNMT3B gene and environmental factors, the prenatal information of the patients was collected.
Results: Genotype distribution of the rs6119954 locus was significantly different between patients and controls (Chi-square = 12.27, P< 0.01). The frequency of the G allele of this locus was significantly higher in patients than in controls (Chi-square = 12.76, P< 0.01). The G allele was highly associated with an earlier age of onset (P= 0.026). No interaction between the DNMT3B gene and environmental factors was found.
Conclusion: DNMT3B gene is associated with early-onset schizophrenia and rs6119954 may plays an important role in age of onset of schizophrenia.