1
|
Cruz-Vicente P, Gonçalves AM, Barroca-Ferreira J, Silvestre SM, Romão MJ, Queiroz JA, Gallardo E, Passarinha LA. Unveiling the biopathway for the design of novel COMT inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103328. [PMID: 35907613 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme responsible for the O-methylation of biologically active catechol-based molecules. It has been associated with several neurological disorders, especially Parkinson's disease (PD), because of its involvement in catecholamine metabolism, and has been considered an important therapeutic target for central nervous system disorders. In this review, we summarize the biophysical, structural, and therapeutical relevance of COMT; the medicinal chemistry behind the development of COMT inhibitors and the application of computer-aided design to support the design of novel molecules; current methodologies for the biosynthesis, isolation, and purification of COMT; and revise existing bioanalytical approaches for the assessment of enzymatic activity in several biological matrices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cruz-Vicente
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana M Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Jorge Barroca-Ferreira
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Samuel M Silvestre
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria J Romão
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - João A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Gallardo
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luis A Passarinha
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qin X, Chen J, Zhou T. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and schizophrenia. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:1181-1190. [PMID: 33098288 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion is a common microdeletion that causes an array of developmental defects including 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) or DiGeorge syndrome and velocardiofacial syndrome. About 30% of patients with 22q11.2 deletion develop schizophrenia. Mice with deletion of the ortholog region in mouse chromosome 16qA13 exhibit schizophrenia-like abnormal behaviors. It is suggested that the genes deleted in 22q11DS are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Among these genes, COMT, ZDHHC8, DGCR8, and PRODH have been identified as schizophrenia susceptibility genes. And DGCR2 is also found to be associated with schizophrenia. In this review, we focused on these five genes and reviewed their functions in the brain and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms in schizophrenia, which will give us a deeper understanding of the pathology of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianzheng Qin
- Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Laboratory of Synaptic Development and Plasticity, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hosák L. Role of the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism in mental disorders: A review. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 22:276-81. [PMID: 17419009 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene is functional, easily detectable, and significantly related to metabolism of catecholamines, which underlie pathogenesis of a significant number of mental disorders. Evidence for the role of this polymorphism in schizophrenia, substance dependence, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is summed up in this review article. The results make it unlikely that the COMT gene plays an important role in these mental disorders, although a minor effect can not be excluded. Future studies on the COMT gene in mentally ill subjects should be stratified by clinical subtypes of the disorder, gender and ethnicity. Studies of endophenotypes instead of the complex disorder seem to be another promising research strategy. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions should also be considered. The COMT gene is probably not “a gene for” any mental disorder, but the Val158Met polymorphism appears to have pleiotropic effects on human behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ladislav Hosák
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
HapMap tag-SNP analysis confirms a role for COMT in schizophrenia risk and reveals a novel association. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 27:372-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2010.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Revised: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCatechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) encodes an enzyme involved in the metabolism of dopamine and maps to a commonly deleted region that increases schizophrenia risk. A non-synonymous polymorphism (rs4680) in COMT has been previously found to be associated with schizophrenia and results in altered activity levels of COMT. Using a haplotype block-based gene-tagging approach we conducted an association study of seven COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 160 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and 250 controls in an Australian population. Two polymorphisms including rs4680 and rs165774 were found to be significantly associated with schizophrenia. The rs4680 results in a Val/Met substitution but the strongest association was shown by the novel SNP, rs165774, which may still be functional even though it is located in intron five. Individuals with schizophrenia were more than twice as likely to carry the GG genotype compared to the AA genotype for both the rs165774 and rs4680 SNPs. This association was slightly improved when males were analysed separately possibly indicating a degree of sexual dimorphism. Our results confirm that COMT is a good candidate for schizophrenia risk, by replicating the association with rs4680 and identifying a novel SNP association.
Collapse
|
5
|
Morozova A, Zorkina Y, Pavlov K, Pavlova O, Storozheva Z, Zubkov E, Zakharova N, Karpenko O, Reznik A, Chekhonin V, Kostyuk G. Association of rs4680 COMT, rs6280 DRD3, and rs7322347 5HT2A With Clinical Features of Youth-Onset Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:830. [PMID: 31798476 PMCID: PMC6863060 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the associations of rs4680 COMT, rs6280 DRD3, and rs7322347 5HT2A with youth-onset schizophrenia in the Russian population in a case-control study, and the role of the genotype in the severity of clinical features. The association between rs7322347 and schizophrenia (p = 0.0001) is described for the first time. Furthermore, we found a link with rs6280 and rs4680 in females (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02 respectively) and with rs7322347 in males (p = 0.002). Clinical symptoms were assessed on three scales: the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and Frontal Assessment Battery. Gender differences in clinical features are of particular interest. In our study we found gender differences in the severity of clinical features-higher scores for delusions (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) in males and higher scores for depression, delusions, somatic concern, motor retardation, poor attention were found in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Morozova
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia.,N.A. Alekseev Psychiatric Clinical Hospital № 1, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yana Zorkina
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Pavlov
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Pavlova
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Zinaida Storozheva
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugene Zubkov
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Olga Karpenko
- N.A. Alekseev Psychiatric Clinical Hospital № 1, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir Chekhonin
- Department Basic and Applied Neurobiology, V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgiy Kostyuk
- N.A. Alekseev Psychiatric Clinical Hospital № 1, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Khanthiyong B, Thanoi S, Reynolds GP, Nudmamud-Thanoi S. Association study of the functional Catechol-O-Methyltranferase (COMT) Val 158Met polymorphism on executive cognitive function in a Thai sample. Int J Med Sci 2019; 16:1461-1465. [PMID: 31673237 PMCID: PMC6818203 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.35789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-Methyltranferase (COMT) plays a crucial role in the removal of cortical dopamine and is strongly implicated in human executive function. Numerous studies have reported associations of the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism with executive function in healthy subjects. However, little work has investigated this in the Thai population and the relationship of age and education with this association remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the association of this polymorphism of the COMT gene with executive cognitive brain function in healthy subjects and the relationship with age and education. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was performed to assess executive function in 254 healthy Thai subjects (aged 20-72 years). The results showed a significant association of rs4680 with executive function, in which Val/Met heterozygotes demonstrated better cognitive set shifting performance. Moreover, Met allele carriers showed a significantly stronger effect in the categories completed score than did Val homozygotes. Furthermore, age and education also showed a significant association with COMT genotype and WCST. These results revealed that executive cognitive function is associated with COMT genotype and influenced by age and/or education level in a Thai sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bupachad Khanthiyong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.,Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Samur Thanoi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.,Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Gavin P Reynolds
- Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.,Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Sutisa Nudmamud-Thanoi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.,Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lack of association between COMT Val158Met and ZDHHC8 rs175174 polymorphisms and susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Brazilian population. Psychiatr Genet 2017; 27:197-198. [DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
8
|
Tylec A, Jeleniewicz W, Mortimer A, Bednarska-Makaruk M, Kucharska K. Interaction Between Val158Met Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Polymorphism and Social Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia: Pilot Study. Ann Hum Genet 2017; 81:267-275. [PMID: 28856668 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Tylec
- Department of Psychiatry; Medical University of Lublin; Lublin Poland
| | - Witold Jeleniewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Medical University of Lublin; Lublin Poland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Peitl V, Štefanović M, Karlović D. Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and dopamine and serotonin gene polymorphisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 77:209-215. [PMID: 28416295 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although depressive symptoms seem to be frequent in schizophrenia they have received significantly less attention than other symptom domains. As impaired serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission is implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and schizophrenia this study sought to investigate the putative association between several functional gene polymorphisms (SERT 5-HTTLPR, MAO-A VNTR, COMT Val158Met and DAT VNTR) and schizophrenia. Other objectives of this study were to closely examine schizophrenia symptom domains by performing factor analysis of the two most used instruments in this setting (Positive and negative syndrome scale - PANSS and Calgary depression rating scale - CDSS) and to examine the influence of investigated gene polymorphisms on the schizophrenia symptom domains, focusing on depressive scores. A total of 591 participants were included in the study (300 schizophrenic patients and 291 healthy volunteers). 192 (64%) of schizophrenic patients had significant depressive symptoms. Genotype distribution revealed no significant differences regarding all investigated polymorphisms except the separate gender analysis for MAO-A gene polymorphism which revealed significantly more allele 3 carriers in schizophrenic males. Factor analysis of the PANSS scale revealed the existence of five separate factors (symptom domains), while the CDSS scale revealed two distinct factors. Several investigated gene polymorphisms (mostly SERT and MAO-A, but also COMT) significantly influenced two factors from the PANSS (aggressive/impulsive and negative symptoms) and one from the CDSS scale (suicidality), respectively. Depressive symptoms in schizophrenic patients may be influenced by functional gene polymorphisms, especially those implicated in serotonergic neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vjekoslav Peitl
- Department of Psychiatry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Štefanović
- Clinical Department of Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dalibor Karlović
- Department of Psychiatry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Thompson CA, Karelis J, Middleton FA, Gentile K, Coman IL, Radoeva PD, Mehta R, Fremont WP, Antshel KM, Faraone SV, Kates WR. Associations between neurodevelopmental genes, neuroanatomy, and ultra high risk symptoms of psychosis in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:295-314. [PMID: 28139055 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder resulting in the deletion of over 40 genes. Up to 40% of individuals with 22q11.2DS develop schizophrenia, though little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We hypothesized that allelic variation in functional polymorphisms in seven genes unique to the deleted region would affect lobar brain volumes, which would predict risk for psychosis in youth with 22q11.2DS. Participants included 56 individuals (30 males) with 22q11.2DS. Anatomic MR images were collected and processed using Freesurfer. Participants were genotyped for 10 SNPs in the COMT, DGCR8, GNB1L, PIK4CA, PRODH, RTN4R, and ZDHHC8 genes. All subjects were assessed for ultra high risk symptoms of psychosis. Allelic variation of the rs701428 SNP of RTN4R was significantly associated with volumetric differences in gray matter of the lingual gyrus and cuneus of the occipital lobe. Moreover, occipital gray matter volumes were robustly associated with ultra high risk symptoms of psychosis in the presence of the G allele of rs701428. Our results suggest that RTN4R, a relatively under-studied gene at the 22q11 locus, constitutes a susceptibility gene for psychosis in individuals with this syndrome through its alteration of the architecture of the brain. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlie A Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jason Karelis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Frank A Middleton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Department of Neuroscience, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Karen Gentile
- Department of Neuroscience, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Ioana L Coman
- Department of Computer Science, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, New York
| | - Petya D Radoeva
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rashi Mehta
- Department of Radiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Wanda P Fremont
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Kevin M Antshel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Wendy R Kates
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
de Castro-Catala M, Barrantes-Vidal N, Sheinbaum T, Moreno-Fortuny A, Kwapil TR, Rosa A. COMT-by-sex interaction effect on psychosis proneness. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:829237. [PMID: 25722988 PMCID: PMC4334622 DOI: 10.1155/2015/829237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizotypy phenotypes in the general population share etiopathogenic mechanisms and risk factors with schizophrenia, supporting the notion of psychosis as a continuum ranging from nonclinical to clinical deviance. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia that is involved in the regulation of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. Several recent studies have reported a sex difference in the impact of COMT genotype on psychiatric and cognitive phenotypes and personality traits. The present study investigated the association of COMT Val158Met (rs4680) with psychometric positive and negative schizotypy and psychotic experiences in a sample of 808 nonclinical young adults. The main finding was that sex moderates the association of COMT genotype with the negative dimension of both schizotypy and psychotic experiences. Male subjects carrying the Val allele tended to score higher on the negative dimension of both trait and symptom-like measures. The results from the present study are consistent with recent work suggesting an association between negative schizotypy and diminished prefrontal dopamine availability. They support the idea that a biological differentiation underlies the positive and negative schizotypy dimensions. Additionally, these findings contribute to the growing literature on sex-specific effects of COMT on the predisposition to psychiatric disorders and personality traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta de Castro-Catala
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain ; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA ; Sant Pere Claver-Fundació Sanitària, Carrer Vila i Vilà 16, 08004 Barcelona, Spain ; Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Sheinbaum
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Artal Moreno-Fortuny
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain ; Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Thomas R Kwapil
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA
| | - Araceli Rosa
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain ; Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ma Z, Liu H, Wu B. Structure-based drug design of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors for CNS disorders. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 77:410-20. [PMID: 23713800 PMCID: PMC3952716 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is of great importance in pharmacology because it catalyzes the metabolism (methylation) of endogenous and xenobiotic catechols. Moreover, inhibition of COMT is the drug target in the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as Parkinson's disease due to its role in regulation of the dopamine level in the brain. The X-ray crystal structures for COMT have been available since 1994. The active sites for cofactor and substrate/inhibitor binding are well resolved to an atomic level, providing valuable insights into the catalytic mechanisms as well as the role of magnesium ions in catalysis. Determination of how the substrates/inhibitors bind to the protein leads to a structure-based approach that has resulted in potent and selective inhibitors. This review focuses on the design of two types of inhibitors (nitrocatechol-type and bisubstrate inhibitors) for COMT using the protein structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Ma
- Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jinan UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongming Liu
- Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jinan UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baojian Wu
- Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jinan UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lo Bianco L, Blasi G, Taurisano P, Di Giorgio A, Ferrante F, Ursini G, Fazio L, Gelao B, Romano R, Papazacharias A, Caforio G, Sinibaldi L, Popolizio T, Bellantuono C, Bertolino A. Interaction between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype and genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia during explicit processing of aversive facial stimuli. Psychol Med 2013; 43:279-292. [PMID: 22617427 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291712001134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotion dysregulation is a key feature of schizophrenia, a brain disorder strongly associated with genetic risk and aberrant dopamine signalling. Dopamine is inactivated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), whose gene contains a functional polymorphism (COMT Val158Met) associated with differential activity of the enzyme and with brain physiology of emotion processing. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether genetic risk for schizophrenia and COMT Val158Met genotype interact on brain activity during implicit and explicit emotion processing. METHOD A total of 25 patients with schizophrenia, 23 healthy siblings of patients and 24 comparison subjects genotyped for COMT Val158Met underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during implicit and explicit processing of facial stimuli with negative emotional valence. RESULTS We found a main effect of diagnosis in the right amygdala, with decreased activity in patients and siblings compared with control subjects. Furthermore, a genotype × diagnosis interaction was found in the left middle frontal gyrus, such that the effect of genetic risk for schizophrenia was evident in the context of the Val/Val genotype only, i.e. the phenotype of reduced activity was present especially in Val/Val patients and siblings. Finally, a complete inversion of the COMT effect between patients and healthy subjects was found in the left striatum during explicit processing. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results suggest complex interactions between genetically determined dopamine signalling and risk for schizophrenia on brain activity in the prefrontal cortex during emotion processing. On the other hand, the effects in the striatum may represent state-related epiphenomena of the disorder itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Lo Bianco
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lajin B, Alachkar A, Hamzeh AR, Michati R, Alhaj H. No association between Val158Met of the COMT gene and susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Syrian population. NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2012; 3:176-8. [PMID: 22540087 PMCID: PMC3336908 DOI: 10.4297/najms.2011.3176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: The Val158Met single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene has been implicated in the aetiology of schizophrenia, although results from different populations have been conflicting. Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate possible association between schizophrenia and Val158Met in a novel Arab population from Syria. Methods and Materials: 71 unrelated schizophrenic subjects (45 men) and 102 unrelated healthy controls (62 men) were recruited to take part in this case- control study. The Val158Met of the COMT gene was genotyped for patients and controls, using a new optimized PCR-RFLP method. Results: the results demonstrated that there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: This study does not support that Val158Met has an influence on susceptibility for schizophrenia in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bassam Lajin
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Witte AV, Flöel A. Effects of COMT polymorphisms on brain function and behavior in health and disease. Brain Res Bull 2012; 88:418-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
16
|
Li WJ, Kou CG, Yu Y, Sun S, Zhang X, Kosten TR, Zhang XY. Association of catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms with schizophrenia and negative symptoms in a Chinese population. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2012; 159B:370-5. [PMID: 22354729 PMCID: PMC4190670 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The gene encoding Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a dopamine catabolic enzyme, has been associated inconsistently with schizophrenia in spite of consistent evidence for dopaminergic dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of schizophrenia. Since one contribution to this inconsistency might be genetic heterogeneity, this study investigated whether the COMT gene was associated with the development and symptoms of schizophrenia in relatively genetically homogeneous Chinese schizophrenic patients. We analyzed two polymorphisms (rs740603 and rs4818) of the COMT gene in a case-control study of 604 Han Chinese (284 patients and 320 controls). The patients' psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We found no significant differences in the rs740603 and rs4818 genotype and allele distributions between the patient and control groups. Quantitative trait analysis by the UNPHASED program showed that the rs740603 and rs740603(G)-rs4818(G) haplotypes were associated with negative symptoms in the schizophrenic patients, particularly among female patients. Thus, the COMT gene polymorphisms may not contribute to the susceptibility to schizophrenia, but may contribute to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia among Han Chinese.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jun Li
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chang Gui Kou
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yaqin Yu
- Research Center for Neuroscience and MH Radiobiology Research Unit, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Corresponding Authors: Yaqin Yu is to be contacted at School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China. Tel.: +86 431 85619443. . T.R. Kosten and X.Y. Zhang are to be contacted at VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. Tel: 7137947032; Fax: 713-794-7938. (T.R. Kosten), (X.Y. Zhang)
| | - Shilong Sun
- Research Center for Neuroscience and MH Radiobiology Research Unit, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Research Center for Neuroscience and MH Radiobiology Research Unit, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Beijing, China,Corresponding Authors: Yaqin Yu is to be contacted at School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China. Tel.: +86 431 85619443. . T.R. Kosten and X.Y. Zhang are to be contacted at VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. Tel: 7137947032; Fax: 713-794-7938. (T.R. Kosten), (X.Y. Zhang)
| | - Xiang Yang Zhang
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Beijing, China,Corresponding Authors: Yaqin Yu is to be contacted at School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China. Tel.: +86 431 85619443. . T.R. Kosten and X.Y. Zhang are to be contacted at VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. Tel: 7137947032; Fax: 713-794-7938. (T.R. Kosten), (X.Y. Zhang)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wan CL, Zainal NZ, Lian LH, Mohamed Z. Association of the functional polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene with schizophrenia in the three ethnic groups of the Malaysian population. Psychiatry Res 2011; 189:67-71. [PMID: 21414668 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Revised: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is a candidate gene for schizophrenia as its encoded enzyme is involved in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine and noradrenaline. Several molecular genetic studies thus far have demonstrated that the COMT functional polymorphism of Val158Met is susceptible with schizophrenia. Hence, the present study aims to determine this genetic association of this SNP in the three major ethnic groups of the Malaysian population. A total of 317 patients (79 Malays, 154 Chinese and 84 Indians) meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 417 healthy subjects (160 Malays, 164 Chinese and 93 Indians) were recruited. A PCR-RFLP method was used to determine the genotypes and alleles present. We found a significant association of genotypes within the total pooled samples, as well as in the female subgroup, with a higher frequency of heterozygotes in schizophrenia subjects. However, there were no significant differences in allele and genotype frequency between the schizophrenic patients and normal controls in all three ethnic groups. Our current findings suggest that the Val158Met polymorphism has a weak association with schizophrenia in the Malaysian population and does not play a major role in conferring susceptibility to the schizophrenia in any of the three major local ethnicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Lee Wan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Costas J, Sanjuán J, Ramos-Ríos R, Paz E, Agra S, Ivorra JL, Páramo M, Brenlla J, Arrojo M. Heterozygosity at catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met and schizophrenia: new data and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:7-14. [PMID: 20488458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2009] [Revised: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been largely studied in relation to schizophrenia susceptibility. Most studies focused on the functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4680 that causes a substitution of Val by Met at codon 158 of the COMT protein. Recent meta-analyses do not support an association between allelic variants at rs4680 and schizophrenia. However, the putative role of overdominance has not been tested in meta-analyses, despite its biological plausibility. In this work, we tested the overdominant model in two Spanish samples (from Valencia and Santiago de Compostela), representing a total of 762 schizophrenic patients and 1042 controls, and performed a meta-analysis of the available studies under this model. A total of 51 studies comprising 13,894 schizophrenic patients and 16,087 controls were included in the meta-analysis, that revealed a small but significant protective effect for heterozygosity at rs4680 (pooled OR=0.947, P=0.023). Post-hoc analysis on southwestern European samples suggested a stronger effect in these populations (pooled OR=0.813, P=0.0009). Thus, the COMT functional polymorphism rs4680 contributes to schizophrenia genetic susceptibility under an overdominant model, indicating that both too high and too low levels of dopamine (DA) signalling may be risk factors. This effect can be modulated by genetic background.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Costas
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Edif. Consultas Planta 2, E-15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
A follow-up study: acute behavioural effects of Delta(9)-THC in female heterozygous neuregulin 1 transmembrane domain mutant mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 211:277-89. [PMID: 20571781 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2009] [Accepted: 05/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Heavy cannabis use is linked with an increased risk for schizophrenia. We showed previously that male heterozygous neuregulin 1 transmembrane domain (Nrg1 HET) mice are more sensitive to some effects of the psychotropic cannabis constituent Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We report data from a follow-up study in female Nrg1 HET mice, investigating THC effects on behaviours with some relevance to schizophrenia. METHODS Mice were injected with THC (0, 5 or 10 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min before a test battery: open field, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition (set 1) or light-dark, social interaction (SI) and prepulse inhibition (PPI 1: variable interstimulus interval (ISI); set 2). Another set (set 3) was injected with the same doses of THC before a fixed interstimulus interval PPI test (PPI 2). RESULTS Female Nrg1 HETs displayed the hallmark increased locomotor activity at 5 months and anxiolytic-like behaviour in the open field at 3 and 5 months. THC decreased locomotor activity in both genotypes. THC selectively reduced some SI behaviours in WT mice. Baseline PPI was enhanced in mutants under a variable ISI, while THC had no effect on PPI using either protocol. CONCLUSIONS This study reports novel findings on the baseline PPI profile and resistance to THC-induced social withdrawal in female Nrg1 HET mice. This is the first description of THC effects in females of this mouse model and suggests that the transmembrane domain Nrg1 mutation does not appear to have a severe impact on the behavioural sensitivity to THC in female mice.
Collapse
|
20
|
Hoenicka J, Garrido E, Martínez I, Ponce G, Aragüés M, Rodríguez-Jiménez R, España-Serrano L, Alvira-Botero X, Santos JL, Rubio G, Jiménez-Arriero MA, Palomo T. Gender-specific COMT Val158Met polymorphism association in Spanish schizophrenic patients. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2010; 153B:79-85. [PMID: 19367610 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The functional Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) located at the gene that codes for the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been extensively investigated in schizophrenia although current data are still controversial. Since COMT activity is sexually dimorphic, we carried out two independent studies in homogeneous samples of male and female Spanish schizophrenic patients. In males, we found an association between the homozygous Val genotype and the disorder, which resembled a recessive model (P = 0.022; odds ratio [OR] = 1.67). This Val homozygotes overrepresentation is produced at the expense of the heterozygous individuals decrease, whilst the Met homozygotes showed no differences when compared controls and patients. As a consequence, the heterozygous genotype in this sample had a protective effect (P = 0.03; OR = 0.65) and a strong deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in male cases was observed (P = 0.006). In addition, a 2-SNP haplotype analysis (rs4818-Val158Met) confirmed there is an overrepresentation of the different homozygous Val genotypes in the male schizophrenic sample. Regarding females, we did not find any statistically significant association between COMT SNP and schizophrenia. In the light of this we suggest that the Val158Met SNP is involved in risk and protective genotypes for the vulnerability to schizophrenia in Spanish male population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Hoenicka
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Importance of the COMT gene for sex differences in brain function and predisposition to psychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2010; 8:119-40. [PMID: 21769726 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As outlined elsewhere in this volume, sex differences can affect brain function and its dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. It is known that genetic factors contribute to these sex dimorphisms, but the individual genes have rarely been identified. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which encodes an enzyme that metabolises catechol compounds, including dopamine, is a leading candidate in this regard. COMT's enzyme activity, and the neurochemistry and behaviour of COMT knockout mice are both markedly sexually dimorphic. Furthermore, genetic associations between COMT and psychiatric phenotypes frequently show differences between men and women. Although many of these differences are unconfirmed or minor, some appear to be of reasonable robustness and magnitude and are reviewed in this chapter. Sexually dimorphic effects of COMT are usually attributed to transcriptional regulation by oestrogens; however, a careful examination of the literature suggests that additional mechanisms are likely to be at least as important. Here, we review the evidence for a sexually dimorphic influence of COMT upon psychiatric phenotypes and brain function, and discuss potential mechanisms by which this may occur. We conclude that despite the evidence being incomplete, there are accumulating and in places compelling data showing that COMT has markedly sexually dimorphic effects on brain function and its dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. Although oestrogenic regulation of COMT is probably partially responsible for these sex differences, other mechanisms are likely also involved. Since sex differences in the genetic architecture of brain function and psychiatric disorders are the rule not the exception, we anticipate that additional evidence will emerge for sexual dimorphisms, not only in COMT but also in many other autosomal genes.
Collapse
|
22
|
Ellermann M, Jakob-Roetne R, Lerner C, Borroni E, Schlatter D, Roth D, Ehler A, Rudolph M, Diederich F. Molecular Recognition at the Active Site of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase: Energetically Favorable Replacement of a Water Molecule Imported by a Bisubstrate Inhibitor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:9092-6. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.200904410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
23
|
Ellermann M, Jakob-Roetne R, Lerner C, Borroni E, Schlatter D, Roth D, Ehler A, Rudolph M, Diederich F. Molekulare Erkennung in der aktiven Tasche der Catechol-O- Methyltransferase: energetisch günstige Verdrängung eines von einem Bisubstratinhibitor importierten Wassermoleküls. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200904410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
24
|
Okochi T, Ikeda M, Kishi T, Kawashima K, Kinoshita Y, Kitajima T, Yamanouchi Y, Tomita M, Inada T, Ozaki N, Iwata N. Meta-analysis of association between genetic variants in COMT and schizophrenia: an update. Schizophr Res 2009; 110:140-8. [PMID: 19329282 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2009.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Revised: 02/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A common functional polymorphism, Val108/158Met (rs4680), and haplotypes rs737865-rs4680-rs165599 in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) have been extensively examined for association to schizophrenia; however, results of replication studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of COMT for schizophrenia. First, we performed a mutation scan to detect the existence of potent functional variants in the 5'-flanking and exon regions. Second, we conducted a gene-based case-control study between tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COMT [19 SNPs including six possible functional SNPs (rs2075507, rs737865, rs4680, rs165599, rs165849)] and schizophrenia in large Japanese samples (schizophrenics 1118, controls 1100). Lastly, we carried out a meta-analysis of 5 functional SNPs and haplotypes (rs737865-rs4680-rs165599). No novel functional variant was detected in the mutation scan. There is no association between these tagging SNPs in COMT and Japanese schizophrenia. In this updated meta-analysis, no evidence was found for an association between Val108/158Met polymorphisms, rs6267, rs165599, and haplotypes (rs7378655-rs4680-rs165599) and schizophrenia, although rs2075507 and rs737865 showed trends for significance in allele-wise analyses (P=0.039 in a multiplicative model, P=0.025 in a recessive model for rs2075507, P=0.018 in a dominant model for rs737865, uncorrected). This significance did not remain, however, after correcting the P-values using a false discovery rate controlling procedure. Our results suggest that the COMT is unlikely to contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Okochi
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Brisch R, Bernstein HG, Krell D, Dobrowolny H, Bielau H, Steiner J, Gos T, Funke S, Stauch R, Knüppel S, Bogerts B. Dopamine–glutamate abnormalities in the frontal cortex associated with the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in schizophrenia. Brain Res 2009; 1269:166-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Revised: 02/16/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
|
26
|
Harrison PJ, Tunbridge EM. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT): a gene contributing to sex differences in brain function, and to sexual dimorphism in the predisposition to psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:3037-45. [PMID: 17805313 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in the genetic epidemiology and clinical features of psychiatric disorders are well recognized, but the individual genes contributing to these effects have rarely been identified. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which metabolizes catechol compounds, notably dopamine, is a leading candidate. COMT enzyme activity, and the neurochemistry and behavior of COMT null mice, are both markedly sexually dimorphic. Genetic associations between COMT and various psychiatric phenotypes frequently show differences between men and women. Many of these differences are unconfirmed or minor, but some appear to be of reasonable robustness and magnitude; eg the functional Val(158)Met polymorphism in COMT is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder in men, with anxiety phenotypes in women, and has a greater impact on cognitive function in boys than girls. Sex-specific effects of COMT are usually attributed to transcriptional regulation by estrogens; however, additional mechanisms are likely to be at least as important. Here we review the evidence for a sexually dimorphic influence of COMT upon psychiatric phenotypes, and discuss its potential basis. We conclude that despite the evidence being incomplete, and lacking a unifying explanation, there are accumulating and in places compelling data showing that COMT differentially impacts on brain function and dysfunction in men and women. Since sex differences in the genetic architecture of quantitative traits are the rule not the exception, we anticipate that additional evidence will emerge for sexual dimorphisms, not only in COMT but also in many other autosomal genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Prasad SE, Howley S, Murphy KC. Candidate genes and the behavioral phenotype in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 14:26-34. [PMID: 18636634 DOI: 10.1002/ddrr.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is an overwhelming evidence that children and adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) have a characteristic behavioral phenotype. In particular, there is a growing body of evidence that indicates an unequivocal association between 22q11.2DS and schizophrenia, especially in adulthood. Deletion of 22q11.2 is the third highest risk for the development of schizophrenia, with only a greater risk conferred by being the child of two parents with schizophrenia or the monozygotic co-twin of an affected individual. Both linkage and association studies of people with schizophrenia have implicated several susceptibility genes, of which three are in the 22q11.2 region; catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), and Gnb1L. In addition, variation in Gnb1L is associated with the presence of psychosis in males with 22q11.2DS. In mouse models of 22q11.2DS, haploinsufficiency of Tbx1 and Gnb1L is associated with reduced prepulse inhibition, a schizophrenia endophenotype. The study of 22q11.2DS provides an attractive model to increase our understanding of the development and pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders in 22q11.2DS and in wider population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Republic of Ireland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tander B, Gunes S, Boke O, Alayli G, Kara N, Bagci H, Canturk F. Polymorphisms of the serotonin-2A receptor and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes: a study on fibromyalgia susceptibility. Rheumatol Int 2008; 28:685-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00296-008-0525-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2007] [Accepted: 12/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
29
|
Nunokawa A, Watanabe Y, Muratake T, Kaneko N, Koizumi M, Someya T. No associations exist between five functional polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene and schizophrenia in a Japanese population. Neurosci Res 2007; 58:291-6. [PMID: 17482701 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2007.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2007] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/29/2007] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is one of the enzymes that degrade catecholamine neurotransmitters including dopamine. The COMT gene is located on 22q11.2, a common susceptibility locus for schizophrenia. Therefore, COMT is a strong functional and positional candidate gene for schizophrenia. A common functional polymorphism (rs4680, Val158Met) has been extensively tested for an association with schizophrenia, but with conflicting results. Recent studies indicate that if COMT is implicated in susceptibility to schizophrenia, this cannot be wholly accounted for by the Val158Met polymorphism. To assess this view, the authors conducted a case-control association study (399 patients with schizophrenia and 440 control subjects) for five functional polymorphisms (rs2075507, rs737865, rs6267, rs4680 and rs165599) in Japanese subjects. There were no significant associations found between the polymorphisms or haplotypes of COMT and schizophrenia. The present study shows that these five functional COMT polymorphisms do not play a major role in conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia in Japanese.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Nunokawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 757 Asahimachidori-ichibancho, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
O'Tuathaigh CMP, Babovic D, O'Meara G, Clifford JJ, Croke DT, Waddington JL. Susceptibility genes for schizophrenia: Characterisation of mutant mouse models at the level of phenotypic behaviour. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2007; 31:60-78. [PMID: 16782199 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2006.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2006] [Revised: 04/21/2006] [Accepted: 04/21/2006] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A wealth of evidence indicates that schizophrenia is heritable. However, the genetic mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Furthermore, it may be that genes conferring susceptibility interact with one another and with non-genetic factors to modulate risk status and/or the expression of symptoms. Genome-wide scanning and the mapping of several regions linked with risk for schizophrenia have led to the identification of several putative susceptibility genes including neuregulin-1 (NRG1), dysbindin (DTNBP1), regulator of G-protein signalling 4 (RGS4), catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1). Genetic animal models involving targeted mutation via gene knockout or transgenesis have the potential to inform on the role of a given susceptibility gene on the development and behaviour of the whole organism and on whether disruption of gene function is associated with schizophrenia-related structural and functional deficits. This review focuses on data regarding the behavioural phenotype of mice mutant for schizophrenia susceptibility genes identified by positional candidate analysis and the study of chromosomal abnormalities. We also consider methodological issues that are likely to influence phenotypic effects, as well as the limitations associated with existing molecular techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics and Research Institute, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Paulini R, Trindler C, Lerner C, Brändli L, Schweizer WB, Jakob-Roetne R, Zürcher G, Borroni E, Diederich F. Bisubstrate inhibitors of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT): the crucial role of the ribose structural unit for inhibitor binding affinity. ChemMedChem 2006; 1:340-57. [PMID: 16892369 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200500065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the enzyme catechol O-methyltransferase offers a therapeutic handle to regulate the catabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters, providing valuable assistance in the treatment of CNS disorders such as Parkinson's disease. A series of ribose-modified bisubstrate inhibitors of COMT featuring 2'-deoxy-, 3'-deoxy-, 2'-aminodeoxy-3'-deoxy-, and 2'-deoxy-3'-aminodeoxyribose-derived central moieties and analogues containing the carbocyclic skeleton of the natural product aristeromycin were synthesized and evaluated to investigate the molecular recognition properties of the ribose binding site in the enzyme. Key synthetic intermediates in the ribose-derived series were obtained by deoxygenative [1,2]-hydride shift rearrangement of adenosine derivatives; highlights in the synthesis of carbocyclic aristeromycin analogues include a diastereoselective cyclopropanation step and nucleobase introduction with a modified Mitsunobu protocol. In vitro biological evaluation and kinetic studies revealed dramatic effects of the ribose modification on binding affinity: 3'-deoxygenation of the ribose gave potent inhibitors (IC50 values in the nanomolar range), which stands in sharp contrast to the remarkable decrease in potency observed for 2'-deoxy derivatives (IC50 values in the micromolar range). Aminodeoxy analogues were only weakly active, whereas the change of the tetrahydrofuran skeleton to a carbocycle unexpectedly led to a complete loss of biological activity. These results confirm that the ribose structural unit of the bisubstrate inhibitors of COMT is a key element of molecular recognition and that modifications thereof are delicate and may lead to surprises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Paulini
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH-Hönggerberg, HCI, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Winterer G, Egan MF, Kolachana BS, Goldberg TE, Coppola R, Weinberger DR. Prefrontal electrophysiologic "noise" and catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2006; 60:578-84. [PMID: 16730334 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2005] [Revised: 02/28/2006] [Accepted: 03/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased variability of stimulus-induced prefrontal electromagnetic activity ("noise") has been associated with genetic risk for schizophrenia. On the basis of animal experiments and computational models, we have predicted that this prefrontal "noise" phenotype would be related to variation in prefrontal dopamine (DA) signaling, which itself might be abnormal in schizophrenia. In the present study, the effect of a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (val(108/158)met) within the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene on prefrontal "noise" was examined, because the COMT enzyme is involved in cortical synaptic dopamine metabolism and weakly predictive of risk for schizophrenia. METHODS A Caucasian sample comprising 112 unrelated normal subjects, 83 schizophrenic probands, and 87 of their unaffected siblings was investigated, all of whom had measures of prefrontal "noise" estimated from event-related electroencephalogram during an auditory oddball task. RESULTS The val(108/158)met genotype was significantly associated with prefrontal "noise"; homozygous Val-carriers had greatest prefrontal "noise" values; odds ratio (OR) = 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-4.10), p = 003. The genotype-phenotype association was stronger when only considering male subjects with an OR = 3.37 (95% CI: 1.63-6.98), p = 002. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that COMT genotype impacts the level of prefrontal physiologic "noise."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Winterer
- Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Paulini R, Lerner C, Diederich F, Jakob-Roetne R, Zürcher G, Borroni E. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Potent Bisubstrate Inhibitors of the Enzyme CatecholO-Methyltransferase (COMT) Lacking a Nitro Group. Helv Chim Acta 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/hlca.200690179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
34
|
Williams NM, O'Donovan MC, Owen MJ. Chromosome 22 deletion syndrome and schizophrenia. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2006; 73:1-27. [PMID: 16737900 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7742(06)73001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nigel M Williams
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Biomedical Research, College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Rybakowski JK, Borkowska A, Czerski PM, Dmitrzak-Weglarz M, Skibinska M, Kapelski P, Hauser J. Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in schizophrenia and genes of dopaminergic inactivation (COMT, DAT, NET). Psychiatry Res 2006; 143:13-9. [PMID: 16712949 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2005.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2004] [Revised: 02/02/2005] [Accepted: 10/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to test an association between polymorphisms of genes connected with dopaminergic inactivation in prefrontal cortex [catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET)], and performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), in schizophrenic patients. The number of perseverative errors (WCST-P), non-perseverative errors (WCST-NP), completed corrected categories (WCST-CC), conceptual level responses (WCST-%CONC) and set to the first category (WCST-1st CAT) were measured. Genotyping was done for the Val108(158)Met polymorphism of the COMT gene (79 patients), the 3'UTR VNTR polymorphism of the DAT gene (124 patients) and the 1287 A/G polymorphism of the NET gene (63 patients). Male schizophrenic patients with Val/Val genotype of COMT obtained better results on WCST-P, while female patients had worse results on the WCST-NP compared with the remaining genotypes. There was a slight trend for patients with the A9/A9 genotype of DAT and with the A/A genotype of NET to perform better on some domains of the WCST, compared with other genotypes. A limitation to the interpretation of results could be small number of patients studied as well as variable psychopathological state and medication during cognitive testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janusz K Rybakowski
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul.Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Craddock N, Owen MJ, O'Donovan MC. The catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene as a candidate for psychiatric phenotypes: evidence and lessons. Mol Psychiatry 2006; 11:446-58. [PMID: 16505837 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), identified in the 1950s, is involved in catabolism of monoamines that are influenced by psychotropic medications, including neuroleptics and antidepressants. The COMT gene lies in a chromosomal region of interest for psychosis and bipolar spectrum disorder and a common polymorphism within the gene alters the activity of the enzyme. As a consequence, COMT has been one of the most studied genes for psychosis. On the basis of prior probabilities it would seem surprising if functional variation at COMT did not have some influence either on susceptibility to psychiatric phenotypes, modification of the course of illness or moderation of response to treatment. There is now robust evidence that variation at COMT influences frontal lobe function. However, despite considerable research effort, it has not proved straightforward to demonstrate and characterise a clear relationship between genetic variation at COMT and psychiatric phenotypes. It is of course, possible that COMT will turn out to be an unusually intractable case but it seems more likely that the experiences with this gene will provide a foretaste of the complexity of genotype-phenotype relationships that will be found for psychiatric traits. In this review, we consider the current state of evidence and the implications both for further studies of COMT and more generally for studies of other genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Craddock
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Henry Wellcome Building for Biomedical Research in Wales, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Blasi G, Mattay VS, Bertolino A, Elvevåg B, Callicott JH, Das S, Kolachana BS, Egan MF, Goldberg TE, Weinberger DR. Effect of catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met genotype on attentional control. J Neurosci 2006; 25:5038-45. [PMID: 15901785 PMCID: PMC6724859 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0476-05.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cingulate cortex is richly innervated by dopaminergic projections and plays a critical role in attentional control (AC). Evidence indicates that dopamine enhances the neurophysiological signal-to-noise ratio and that dopaminergic tone in the frontal cortex is critically dependent on catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). A functional polymorphism (val158met) in the COMT gene accounts for some of the individual variability in executive function mediated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We explored the effect of this genetic polymorphism on cingulate engagement during a novel AC task. We found that the COMT val158met polymorphism also affects the function of the cingulate during AC. Individuals homozygous for the high-activity valine ("val") allele show greater activity and poorer performance than val/methionine ("met") heterozygotes, who in turn show greater activity and poorer performance than individuals homozygous for the low-activity met allele, and these effects are most evident at the highest demand for AC. These results indicate that met allele load and presumably enhanced dopaminergic tone improve the "efficiency" of local circuit processing within the cingulate cortex and thereby its function during AC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Blasi
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1379, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chagnon YC. Shared Susceptibility Region On Chromosome 15 Between Autism And Catatonia. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2006; 72:165-78. [PMID: 16697297 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7742(05)72010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We have compiled significant linkage results from 20 genome scans for the autism syndrome disorder (ASD) and 2 for catatonia in schizophrenia (SZ). Localization of the markers has been updated across the studies using the same cytological (Genetic Location Database), physical (National Center for Biological Information), and genetic (Marshfield) maps. Eight autosomal chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 13, 15, and 17) showed significant linkages with ASD, and one with catatonia (15). Chromosome 15 was further characterized for SZ genome scans (N = 4) since catatonia was observed in SZ patients, for candidate genes for ASD and catatonia, and for the numerous chromosomal rearrangement and abnormalities associated to ASD. From these results, we observed that four potential susceptibility regions for ASD could be observed on chromosome 15 at 15q11-q13, 15q14-q21, 15q22-q23, and 15q26, respectively. All the four regions were shared between ASD and SZ, with 15q15-q21 being also shared with catatonia. Strong candidate genes, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor B3, A5, and G3, have shown associations with ASD at 15q11-q13 susceptibility region where the majority of the chromosomal rearrangements are also found. On the other hand, negative association results were observed at 15q14-q21 susceptibility region for catatonia with the genes encoding the zinc transporter SLC30A4, the cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha polypeptide 7, and the delta-like 4 Drosophila. Further, fine mapping and candidate gene analyses are needed to highlight potential common genes between ASD and catatonia for this chromosome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yvon C Chagnon
- Laval University Robert-Giffard Research Center, Beauport, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sazci A, Ergul E, Kucukali I, Kara I, Kaya G. Association of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene with schizophrenia: association is significant in men but not in women. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2005; 29:1113-23. [PMID: 16084002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2005.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and common psychiatric disorder with a polygenic inheritance. In our previous report, we showed an association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and schizophrenia in patients from Bakirkoy in Istanbul, Turkey [Sazci, A., Ergul, E., Guzelhan, Y., Kaya, G., Kara, I., 2003. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in patients with schizophrenia. Mol. Brain Res. 117, 104-107]. We wanted also independently to confirm this study in a gender-specific manner with schizophrenic patients from Erenkoy in Istanbul, Turkey. To investigate the role of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in schizophrenia in a gender-specific manner, we analyzed the genotypes of MTHFR677 and MTHFR1298 of 297 schizophrenic patients and 341 healthy controls, using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The MTHFR 677T allele was significantly distributed (chi2=7.312; P=0.026), between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. The T677T genotype was overrepresented in the total schizophrenic patients (OR=1.938; 95%CI=1.133-3.315; chi2=5.996; P=0.014). Similarly, the T677T/A1298A compound genotype was the most significant one in the total schizophrenic patients (OR=2.397; 95% CI=1.327-4.330; chi2=8.821; P=0.003). The C1298C genotype was overrepresented in the total schizophrenic patients (OR=1.706; 95%CI=1.014-2.870; chi2=4.126; P=0.042). Likewise, the C677C/C1298C compound genotype was significant in the total schizophrenic patients (OR=1.689; 95%CI=0.985-2.894; chi2=3.695; P=0.055). When schizophrenic patients and healthy controls were stratified according to gender difference, the T677T genotype and T677T/A1298A compound genotype were significantly overrepresented (OR=2.184; 95% CI=1.069-4.462; chi2=4.767; P=0.029; OR=2.748; 95% CI=1.215-6.214; chi2=6.301; P=0.012, respectively) in men schizophrenic patients. However, neither the MTHFR C677T nor the A1298C polymorphisms are associated with schizophrenia in women. In conclusion, the MTHFR 677T allele and T677T, C1298C genotypes, and T677T/A1298A, C677C/C1298C compound genotypes are genetic risk factors for schizophrenia in men but not in women in a gender-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sazci
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kocaeli, Derince, 41900, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Chagnon YC. Shared chromosomal susceptibility regions between autism and other mental disorders. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2005; 71:419-43. [PMID: 16512360 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7742(05)71017-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yvon C Chagnon
- Genetic and Molecular Psychiatry Unit, Robert-Giffard Research Center, Laval University, Beauport, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|