Association between neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population

Neurotensin (NT) is a multifunctional gut hormone, neurotransmitter, and neuromodulator that triggers many physiological responses by binding to the high-affinity neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1). Previous studies have implicated the roles of NT and NTR1 in the etiology or expression of schizophrenia. This case-control study examined the associations between schizophrenia and three NTR1 gene polymorphisms (rs6090453C/G, rs6011914C/G, and rs2427422A/G) previously linked to working memory performance in a Han Chinese population. These three polymorphisms were genotyped in 390 schizophrenic patients and 565 healthy subjects. Compared with those of the controls, the frequencies for C allele in the rs6090453C/G polymorphism were higher in the schizophrenic patients (p = 0.049) and their female subgroup (p = 0.014). The frequencies for the rs6090453C/rs6011914G/rs2427422G (CGG) haplotype were also higher in the patients (p = 0.016) and their female subgroup (p = 0.005). Moreover, in the female subgroup, the frequencies for the rs6090453G/rs6011914C/rs2427422G (GCG) haplotype were higher in the controls (p = 0.028). Our results suggest that the C allele (CC or CG genotype) in the rs6090453C/G polymorphism and the CGG haplotype may enhance schizophrenia susceptibility in the Han Chinese population, while the GCG haplotype may be a protective factor, particularly in females.