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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Apoptotic engulfment pathway and schizophrenia.
Xiangning Chen1, Cuie Sun, Qi Chen
1Department of Psychiatry and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA. xchen@vcu.edu
Plos One
|September 2, 2009
Summary
The GULP1 gene and apoptotic engulfment pathway are linked to schizophrenia in European ancestry individuals. Multiple genes in this pathway may interact to elevate disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis is implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
- Previous research identified the MEGF10 gene's association with schizophrenia.
- This study investigates the apoptotic engulfment pathway, including MEGF10, GULP1, ABCA1, and ABCA7 genes, in relation to schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association of the apoptotic engulfment pathway genes (MEGF10, GULP1, ABCA1, ABCA7) with schizophrenia.
- To identify specific genetic markers within these genes associated with schizophrenia risk.
- To explore potential gene-gene interactions within the apoptotic engulfment pathway in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GULP1, ABCA1, and ABCA7 genes in schizophrenia patient cohorts (ISHDSF and ICCSS).
- Statistical analysis to assess associations between SNPs and schizophrenia.
- Replication analysis in independent Caucasian and Chinese cohorts for significant markers.
- Analysis of gene-gene interactions using SNP data.
Main Results:
- Nominally significant associations were observed for GULP1, ABCA1, and ABCA7 genes.
- A specific GULP1 SNP (rs2004888) showed significant association in both ISHDSF and ICCSS samples and was highly significant in Caucasian replication samples.
- Significant 2-marker and 3-marker interactions were identified between genes in the apoptotic engulfment pathway (ABCA1, ABCA7, MEGF10, GULP1).
Conclusions:
- The GULP1 gene and the apoptotic engulfment pathway are implicated in schizophrenia in individuals of European ancestry.
- Interactions among multiple genes within the apoptotic engulfment pathway may contribute to increased schizophrenia risk.
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