BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been believed that epigenetic changes play a critical role in schizophrenia through improper interaction between genome and environmental risk factors. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of the promoter hypermethylation status of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) genes with the risk of schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methylation-specific PCR was used to estimate DNA methylation in the blood of 80 patients with schizophrenia and 71 healthy controls. RESULTS: Promoter hypermethylation analysis of GSTT and GSTP indicated a significant difference between individuals with methylated and unmethylated status [odds ratio (OR) = 0.339, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.14-0.8, p = 0.012 and OR = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.135-0.7, p = 0.005, respectively]. CONCLUSION: The present study supports the hypothesis that impairment in the promoter region of GSTT and GSTP genes by hypermethylation may increase the risk of schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been believed that epigenetic changes play a critical role in schizophrenia through improper interaction between genome and environmental risk factors. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of the promoter hypermethylation status of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) genes with the risk of schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methylation-specific PCR was used to estimate DNA methylation in the blood of 80 patients with schizophrenia and 71 healthy controls. RESULTS: Promoter hypermethylation analysis of GSTT and GSTP indicated a significant difference between individuals with methylated and unmethylated status [odds ratio (OR) = 0.339, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.14-0.8, p = 0.012 and OR = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.135-0.7, p = 0.005, respectively]. CONCLUSION: The present study supports the hypothesis that impairment in the promoter region of GSTT and GSTP genes by hypermethylation may increase the risk of schizophrenia.
Authors: Su Kang Kim; Sang Wook Kang; Joo-Ho Chung; Hae Jeong Park; Kyu Bong Cho; Min-Su Park Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2015-08-19 Impact factor: 5.923