Slc6a4 and Htr2a gene Polymorphisms in Malay-Malaysian Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (Sz) affect about 21 million people worldwide. This disorder alters perception, thoughts, affect and behaviour. Serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter which has been hypothesized to be abnormal in schizophrenia. The solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) gene and serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene are among the important genes within the serotonergic system-related genes family. The SLC6A4 gene encode for serotonin transporter (SERT) which regulates the synaptic concentration of serotonin by transporting serotonin molecules back to the pre-synaptic neuron while the HTR2A gene is another gene that encode for the serotonin receptor subtype 2A. Studies done previously failed to produce consistent result for specific locus of schizohrenia susceptibilit

Association of SLC6A4 gene polymorphisms with Schizophrenia

Introduction: The SLC6A4 gene encode for serotonin transporter which regulates synaptic concentration of serotonin thus influences perception, mood, emotion, behavior, and cognition which are the main symptoms of Schizophrenia (Sz). This study investigated the association of SNPs within SLC6A4 gene with Sz. Methods: A total of 240 Sz patients and 364 normal controls were studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Rs12449783, rs140700, rs6352 and rs6354 were selected and genotyped using allelic discrimination real time Taqman® assay. Results: A significant association was found between rs12449783 of SLC6A4 gene and Sz for both alleles and genotypic frequencies (p = 1.68 x 10−8 and 5.11 x 10−7 respectively). Conclusion: The significant association between rs12449783 of SLC6A4 gene in our Sz samples reaffirmed the previous similar findings in other population thus support role of SLCA4 gene in Sz

Relation between apoE gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease in South East and East Asian Countries

Background and objective: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a polymorphic protein with vital antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Three apoE isoforms exist due to polymorphisms in its gene causing disturbances of lipoproteins metabolism and a probability to develop cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association between apoE gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Malaysian population sample and to integrate the study findings with other studies to increase the power of the study sample and to make a better understanding about the association between apoE gene polymorphism and CAD in south east & East Asian countries. Methods: The study involved 185 patients with CAD attending HTAA hospital Kuantan, Pahang with 188 unrelated healthy control participants. ApoE gene polymorphism was determined in the participants using polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay and was validated using direct nucleotide sequencing. SPSS software version 19 and Chi-squared test was used for determination of allele and genotypes association with CAD. Binary logistic regression analysis of apoE genotypes, gender, ethnicity, age, blood pressure, and lipid profile was used to predict probability of developing CAD. In addition, meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager (Version 5.3.). Results: the preliminary data has shown a non-significant association between apoE genotypes or alleles and CAD. Nevertheless, binary logistic regression analysis has shown a significant association between E3E4 genotype, high blood pressure, male gender & old age as dependant risk factors in the prediction for having CAD. The meta-analysis of studies in Southeast Asia and East Asia region had shown that carriers of the E4 allele are significantly at higher risk to develop CAD [p<0.0001; OR=1.51 (1.24, 1.83) CI=95%; I2=68%]. Conclusion: This study provides an evidence of increased risk to develop CAD among carriers of E4 allele specially if accompanied with high blood pressure, old age with male gender