Gao S, Cheng J, Li G, Sun T, Xu Y, Wang Y, Du X, Xu G, Duan S
Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, 315201 Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, 315201 Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
Eur Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;44:39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.03.002. Epub 2017 Mar 30.
As an epigenetic modification, DNA methylation may reflect the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the development of schizophrenia (SCZ). Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is a promising candidate gene of SCZ. In the present study, we investigate the association of COMT methylation with the risk of SCZ using bisulfite pyrosequencing technology. Significant association between DNA methylation of COMT and the risk of SCZ is identified (P=1.618e-007). A breakdown analysis by gender shows that the significance is driven by males (P=3.310e-009), but not by females. DNA methylation of COMT is not significantly associated with SCZ clinical phenotypes, including p300 and cysteine level. No interaction is found between COMT genotypes and the percent methylation of this gene. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve shows that DNA methylation of COMT is able to predict the SCZ risk in males (area under curve [AUC]=0.802, P=1.91e-007). The current study indicates the clinical value of COMT methylation as a potential male-specific biomarker in SCZ diagnosis.
作为一种表观遗传修饰，DNA甲基化可能反映了精神分裂症（SCZ）发病过程中遗传因素与环境因素之间的相互作用。儿茶酚-O-甲基转移酶（COMT）基因是SCZ一个很有前景的候选基因。在本研究中，我们使用亚硫酸氢盐焦磷酸测序技术研究了COMT甲基化与SCZ风险之间的关联。我们发现COMT的DNA甲基化与SCZ风险之间存在显著关联（P = 1.618e - 007）。按性别进行的分类分析表明，这种显著性是由男性驱动的（P = 3.310e - 009），而女性则不然。COMT的DNA甲基化与SCZ临床表型，包括p300和半胱氨酸水平，无显著关联。未发现COMT基因型与该基因甲基化百分比之间存在相互作用。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线表明，COMT的DNA甲基化能够预测男性的SCZ风险（曲线下面积[AUC]=0.802，P = 1.91e - 007）。本研究表明COMT甲基化作为SCZ诊断中一种潜在的男性特异性生物标志物的临床价值。
