Premium
New functional single nucleotide polymorphism (Ala72Ser) in the COMT gene is associated with aggressive behavior in male schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Hong Jin Pyo,
Lee Joongsun S.,
Chung Seockhoon,
Jung Jaeyeul,
Yoo Hanik K.,
Chang Sung Man,
Kim Chang Yoon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.30649
Subject(s) - single nucleotide polymorphism , haplotype , snp , genetics , genotype , allele , polymorphism (computer science) , allele frequency , biology , gene
A new functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Ala72Ser in the COMT gene was discovered recently. The purpose of our study is to examine the association between Ala72Ser and Val158Met functional polymorphisms in COMT gene and homicidal behavior in schizophrenia. DNA was genotyped for the Ala72Ser and Val158Met SNPs of the COMT gene in a sample of 93 schizophrenic patients who committed homicide (H‐SCZ) and 100 schizophrenic patients who had never committed homicide (NH‐SCZ). A statistically significant difference was found in genotype distribution and allele frequencies in SNP Ala72Ser of COMT gene between H‐SCZ and NH‐SCZ group. In haplotype analysis, the frequency of the combination of high‐high activity allele (Ala‐Val) was lower in H‐SCZ group than in NH‐SCZ group ( P = 0.000069). Our study showed a highly significant association between a COMT haplotype of two functional SNPs and aggressive behavior in schizophrenia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.