DNA Methylation Pattern of Gene Promoters of MB-COMT, DRD2, and NR3C1 in Turkish Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to evaluate the methylation status of membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase () promotor, dopamine receptor D2 (), and nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 () gene in pa- tients with SCZ by comparing healthy controls.

METHODS

A sample of 110 patients with SCZ and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers was included in the study. The interview was started by filling out data forms that included sociodemographic and clinical information. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used to confirming the diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Then the patients were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale in terms of symp- tom severity. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the methylation status of promotor, , and gene from DNA material.

RESULTS

When we compared the percentages of promotor, , and gene methylation status in SCZ patients with the healthy control group, the percentages of promotor (OR: 0.466; 95% CI: 0.268- 0.809; = 0.006), (OR: 0.439; 95% CI: 0.375-0.514; < 0.001), and (OR: 0.003; 95% CI: 0.001- 0.011; < 0.001) gene methylation status of SCZ was found to be significantly different from the control group. Whereas unmethylation of promotor and genes were associated with SCZ, the partial methylation of the gene was related to the SCZ.

CONCLUSION

The MB-COMT promotor, , and gene methylation status may be associated with the SCZ in the Turkish population.