title: Polymorphisms of IKBKE gene are associated with major depressive disorder and panic disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The immune system has been increasingly implicated in the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells, kinase epsilon (IKBKE) gene encodes IKKε protein that is involved in innate immunity, predominantly antiviral response generation. It also bears pro-inflammatory properties that could affect psychiatric outcomes. In order to investigate the possible role of IKBKE gene in major depressive disorder (MDD) and panic disorder (PD), we conducted a case-control genetic association study concerning these disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 14 SNPs of IKBKE gene were genotyped in groups of 391 patients with MDD and 190 patients with PD together with respective 389 and 371 healthy control individuals. The given groups were further divided by gender for additional analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Substantial genetic associations were revealed between IKBKE SNPs and MDD (multiple testing adjusted P < 0.05) and suggestive associations in case of PD (P(adj) > 0.05). In addition, two SNPs that were only associated with PD among males, also displayed significantly different allele frequencies compared to PD females. This may indicate a specific role of these SNPs in male PD, but caution should be applied here due to the small size of the studied PD males group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study confirm our initial findings and indicate a possible role of IKBKE gene in mood and anxiety disorders.
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Tanel
authors: T
authors: Traks
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Kati
authors: K
authors: Koido
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Balõtšev
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Triin
authors: T
authors: Eller
authors: Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Sulev
authors: S
authors: Kõks
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Molecular Imaging, Imperial College London London, U.K.
authors: Eduard
authors: E
authors: Maron
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Innar
authors: I
authors: Tõru
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Jakov
authors: J
authors: Shlik
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Eero
authors: E
authors: Vasar
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia.
authors: Veiko
authors: V
authors: Vasar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D051550:I-kappa B Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D051550:I-kappa B Kinase; C496565:IKBKE protein, human
keywords: Genetic association study; IKBKE; SNP; major depressive disorder; panic disorder