Prospects for epigenetic research within cohort studies of psychological disorder: a pilot investigation of a peripheral cell marker of epigenetic risk for depression.
Cohort studies have considerable prima facie value for investigating epigenetic processes in psychological disorder; however, the future prospects for such studies will depend on valid peripheral markers. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate association between buccal cell methylation and risk for depression. Epigenotyping was limited to promoter methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (5HTT). A transcription limiting VNTR in the 5HTT promoter (5HTTLPR) was also genotyped. A nested sample of 25 depressed and 125 non-depressed adolescents was drawn from an established longitudinal study of adolescent health. There was no association between depressive symptoms and either buccal cell 5HTT methylation or 5HTTLPR. However, depressive symptoms were more common among those with elevated buccal cell 5HTT methylation who carried 5HTTLPR short-allele (OR 4.9, CI 1.9-13, p=0.001). Both complete and partial (as little as 10%) methylation of a 5HTT reporter gene in an expressing cell line reduced 5HTT activity. Replication is needed.
Olsson
C A
CA
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville 3052 Victoria, Australia. craig.olsson@rch.org.au
Foley
D L
DL
Parkinson-Bates
M
M
Byrnes
G
G
McKenzie
M
M
Patton
G C
GC
Morley
R
R
Anney
R J L
RJ
Craig
J M
JM
Saffery
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins