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2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Expression levels of DNA methylation-related genes in schizophrenia

Research Project

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Project/Area Number 21K15733
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
Research InstitutionThe University of Tokushima

Principal Investigator

TOMIOKA Yukiko  徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 助教 (70748029)

Project Period (FY) 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
KeywordsDNAメチル化 / 統合失調症 / one-carbon metabolism / ビタミンB群
Outline of Final Research Achievements

The expression levels of the genes DNMT1 and DNMT3a were compared between the schizophrenia and healthy control groups. The results showed that the gene expression levels of DNMT1 and DNMT3a were both significantly elevated in the untreated schizophrenia group and the chronic phase schizophrenia group compared to the healthy group.
Next, we examined the association between plasma homocysteine, serum folate, and serum vitamin B6 and DNMT gene expression levels. As a result, a significant correlation was observed between DNMT3a and folate in the schizophrenia group. These results support the involvement of DNA methylation in schizophrenia.

Free Research Field

精神医学分野、分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

統合失調症は約100人に1人が罹患するよくある疾患でありながら、その病因については明らかではない。当研究では、遺伝情報を変化させるDNAメチル化を担っているDNMT遺伝子の発現量について、統合失調症と健常対象者との比較を行った。その結果、統合失調症患者ではDNMT遺伝子の発現量が有意に増加していることを示した。この結果は、統合失調症患者にはDNAメチル化の異常が起こっていることを示している。本研究は末梢血を用いており、今後は診断の役に立つ可能性がある。

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Published: 2024-01-30  

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