Association of promoter variants of human dopamine transporter gene with schizophrenia in Han Chinese.
OBJECTIVE
Although dopamine was implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia, the human dopamine transporter gene (DAT1; SLC6A3) has not consistently been associated with schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine whether six polymorphisms within the DAT1 gene are associated with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Six polymorphisms of the DAT1 gene (3 SNPs [rs6413429, rs2652511, and rs2975226] in the promoter region, one SNP [rs6347] in exon 9, and one SNP [rs27072]/one variable number tandem repeat [VNTR] in exon 15) were analyzed in 352 Chinese patients with schizophrenia and in 311 healthy controls. Pretreatment psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in a subset of 160 hospitalized schizophrenia patients who were drug-free or drug-naïve.


RESULTS
A statistically significant difference in two polymorphisms (rs2652511 and rs2975226) and a promoter region haplotype (rs2652511, rs2975226, and rs6413429) was found between patients and healthy controls. No association with schizophrenia was found for other polymorphisms and another haplotype (3' region). Symptoms severity (PANSS global, positive, negative and general symptoms scores) was similar regardless of DAT1 polymorphism.


CONCLUSIONS
The promoter region of the DAT1 gene may play a role in increasing susceptibility to schizophrenia, but does not affect the severity of psychotic symptoms in Han Chinese.
Huang
San-Yuan
SY
Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. hsy@ndmctsgh.edu.tw
Chen
Hsing-Kang
HK
Ma
Kuo-Hsing
KH
Shy
Mee-Jen
MJ
Chen
Jiun-Hsiung
JH
Lin
Wen-Chi
WC
Lu
Ru-Band
RB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493214:SLC6A3 protein, human