A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Within Molybdenum Cofactor Sulfurase Gene Is Associated With Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Background

Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) is an enzyme participating in purine metabolism. The aim of current study was to evaluate the role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding gene (rs594445) in mood disorders and methamphetamine addiction.

Methods

This SNP was genotyped in 200 persons with methamphetamine addiction, 85 patients with bipolar disorder 1 (BP1), 78 patients with BP2, 33 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 200 age-/sex-matched normal subjects using the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR technique.

Results

The rs594445 was associated with methamphetamine addiction in co-dominant model [A/A vs C/C: OR (95% CI) = 0.466 (0.252–0.864), P-value = 0.014; C/A vs C/C: OR (95% CI) = 0.641 (0.418–0.981), P-value = 0.04]. This SNP was also associated with this trait in dominant model [OR (95% CI) = 0.591 (0.398–0.879), P-value = 0.009]. The A allele of rs594445 had a protective role against methamphetamine addiction [A vs C: OR (95% CI) = 0.645 (0.48–0.866), P-value = 0.004]. The rs594445 was associated with BP1 in co-dominant model [C/A vs C/C: OR (95% CI) = 0.423 (0.230–0.778), P-value = 0.005]. However, the associations were insignificant in other inheritance models.

Conclusion

Finally, there were no significant associations between the mentioned SNP and risk of BP2 or MDD in any inheritance model. The present project highlights the role rs594445 in two psychiatric conditions and implies the presence of common genetic factors for these disorders.

The rs594445 in MOCOS gene is associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder

Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) gene encodes an enzyme which is involved in purine metabolism. Recent experiments have shown down-regulation of MOCOS in adult nasal olfactory stem cells of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the current study, we genotyped two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within coding regions of MOCOS gene (rs594445 and rs1057251) in 406 ASD patients and 411 age and sex-matched controls. The A allele of the rs594445 SNP was more prevalent among ASD cases compared with controls (OR (95% CI) = 1.33 (1.07-1.64), adjusted P value = 0.02). This SNP was associated with risk of ASD in co-dominant (AA vs. CC: OR (95% CI) = 2.00 (1.22-3.23), adjusted P value = 0.04) and recessive (AA vs. CC + AC: OR (95% CI) = 1.86 (1.16-2.98), adjusted P value = 0.02) models. The other SNP was not associated with risk of ASD in any inheritance model. There was no LD between rs594445 and rs1057251 SNPs (D' = 0.03, r2 = 0.14). The C T haplotype (rs594445 and rs1057251, respectively) had a protective role against ASD (OR (95% CI) = 0.76 (0.62-0.92), adjusted P value = 0.02). Other estimated haplotypes distributed equally between cases and controls. Based on the results of current study, the rs594445 SNP might be regarded as a risk locus for ASD in Iranian population.