Relationship between methylation pattern of the SYN2 gene and schizophrenia

Abstract Objectives Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disease, and its etiology is not exactly understood. DNA methylation is an important phenomenon that affects the rise of abnormal phenotypes in many cases. Investigation of the association between DNA methylation and schizophrenia is crucial for elucidating the basis of schizophrenia. Previous association studies confirm that the SYN2 gene is a strong candidate gene for schizophrenia. In the current study, the relationship between the methylation status of the SYN2 gene and schizophrenia was investigated. The aim is to obtain crucial results for illuminating the effects of the SYN2 methylation changes in the etiology of schizophrenia. Methods In light of this scientific information, we investigated the methylation status of three different CpG regions in the promoter of the SYN2 gene and compared them in healthy controls and schizophrenia patients. Thirty-three healthy controls and 36 schizophrenia patients were included in this study. Sequencing was performed using the pyrosequencing method to reveal the methylation pattern. Results As a result of the statistical analysis, it was confirmed that there is a significant relationship between the methylation pattern of the SYN2 gene and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia patients showed more methylation in position 2 and position 3. Additionally, the average methylation ratio is increased in schizophrenia patients. Conclusions We find an association between the DNA methylation pattern of the SYN2 gene and schizophrenia. These results can help to the understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia. Except for these, DNA methylation changes in the SYN2 gene in people who live in urban and rural areas can be one of the reasons for the different incidences of schizophrenia in these regions.