Polymorphisms of Serotonin 4 Receptor Gene Associated with Schizophrenia in Thai Ethnic
Turakitwanakan W, MD1, Panichareon B, PhD2, Sukhumsirichart W, PhD3
Affiliation : 1 Department of Psychiatry, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand 2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (HTR4) is involved in learning and memory process. The location of this gene is in
schizophrenia-susceptible loci.
Objective : The present study aimed to investigate the variation in HTR4 gene in association with schizophrenia in Thai population.
Materials and Methods : A total of 75 schizophrenia patients and 170 normal controls volunteered in this study. DNAs were extracted
from whole blood. The purified DNAs were amplified and genotyped by PCR using 3’-locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified SNP primers
and by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. The differences in genotype distribution between patients and controls were assessed
by Chi-square test of the SPSS software version 11.5.
Results : All studied SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Two SNPs, rs2277051 and rs2277049, showed significant
association with schizophrenia (p = 0.001, and p = 0.015, respectively). The genotype C of rs2277051 and G of rs2277049 existed
in schizophrenia more than in control.
Conclusion : The authors found two SNPs in intronic region of serotonin 5-HT4 receptor gene, rs2277051 and rs2277049, that
related to the susceptibility for schizophrenia in Thai population.
Keywords : Serotonin 5-HT4 receptor, Single nucleotide polymorphism, Locked nucleic acid, High resolution melting analysis, HRM
