Transmission disequilibrium suggests a role for the sulfotransferase-4A1 gene in schizophrenia.
Previous studies suggest a role for chromosome 22q13 in schizophrenia. This segment of chromosome 22 contains the sulfotransferase-4A1 (Sult4A1) gene, which encodes an enzyme thought to be involved in neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system. To evaluate this candidate, we developed a microsatellite marker targeting a polymorphism in its 5' nontranslated region (D22s1749E). Using samples obtained from the National Institutes of Mental Health Schizophrenia Genetics Initiative, we evaluated 27 families having multiple siblings with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders for transmission disequilibrium (TDT) of this marker along with three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning a 37 kb segment containing the Sult4A1 gene. TDT for D22s1749E was significant (P < 0.05), with a tendency for the 213 nt allele to be preferentially transferred to affected children (P = 0.0079). Global chi-square values for haplotypes involving the SNPs (ss146366, ss146407, and ss146420) and D22s1749E, also showed significant TDT values (P = 0.0006-0.0016). Consequently, we proposed that Sult4A merited more careful scrutiny as a candidate gene for schizophrenia susceptibility.
Brennan
Mark D
MD
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. mdbren01@louisville.edu
Condra
Jodi
J
D002648:Child; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D015238:Sulfotransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
C479953:SULT4A1 protein, human; D015238:Sulfotransferases