Association of A/G polymorphism in intron 13 of the monoamine oxidase B gene with schizophrenia in a Spanish population.
BACKGROUND
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) enzyme is involved in the oxidative metabolism of dopamine. We studied whether the A644G polymorphism in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene is a risk factor for schizophrenia.


METHODS
242 subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders and 290 hospital-based controls participated in the study. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and genotyped with the allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction method.


RESULTS
This polymorphism was studied by diagnosis subgroups and the G allele was identified as a risk factor for developing schizophrenia (p = 0.006). When we performed a sex-specific analysis, the G allele was only a risk factor for developing schizophrenia in women (p = 0.01). Although the frequency of the G allele is higher in male patients than in male controls, no statistically significant association with schizophrenia was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the involvement of the MAO-B gene in schizophrenia, particularly in women.
Gassó
Patricia
P
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Pharmacology and Microbiology, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
Bernardo
Miquel
M
Mas
Sergi
S
Crescenti
Anna
A
Garcia
Clemente
C
Parellada
Eduard
E
Lafuente
Amalia
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000208:ethnology
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase