Epigenetic aberration of the human REELIN gene in psychiatric disorders.

Epigenetic genome modifications such as DNA methylation appear to be involved in various diseases. Here, we suggest that the levels of DNA methylation at the BssHII methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme sites in the human REELIN (RELN) gene in the forebrain vary among individuals. Interestingly, although a statistically significant correlation between the levels of DNA methylation in RELN and age was detected in healthy individuals, no such correlations were seen in either schizophrenic or bipolar patients. In addition, reverse correlations between DNA methylation levels and RELN expression were also detected in postmortem brain RNA and on in vitro assay. These data suggest the possibility that epigenetic aberration from the normal DNA methylation status of RELN may confer susceptibility to psychiatric disorders.