Evaluation of the relationship between VRK2, rs4380187 polymorphisms, and genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population

Abstract

Background Schizophrenia (SZ) is a serious hereditary mental disease with a low recovery rate, especially due to the lack of understanding about the cause of the disease. VRK2 is considered to be related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between VRK2, rs4380187 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and schizophrenia. Methods Peripheral blood DNA was extracted using a genomic DNA extraction kit. The DNA samples were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY platform, and four genetic models were applied to compute the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional logistic regression. The p value was obtained by the chi‐square and t test for independent samples. Results The C allele of rs4380187 SNP was significantly (p = 0.008) associated with decreased risk of SZ. The AA genotype of rs4380187 showed significantly (p = 0.009) lower frequency in cases with SZ than in controls and was associated with decreased risk of the disease. The frequency of the CA genotype of rs4380187 correlated with a 0.73‐fold decreased risk of SZ (p = 0.033). In the co‐dominant genetic model, the genotype of rs4380187 was associated with a decreased risk of SZ (p = 0.010). We also found that the log‐additive model of rs4380187 significantly reduced the risk of SZ disease (p = 0.007). Conclusion This study provides further evidence that rs4380187 SNP is associated with SZ. This genotype variation could be associated with the psychopathology and cognitive function in SZ.