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VRK2 gene expression in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls
Martin Tesli1, Katrine Verena Wirgenes1, Timothy Hughes1
1Martin Tesli, MD, PhD, Katrine Verena Wirgenes, MD, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Timothy Hughes, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Francesco Bettella, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Lavinia Athanasiu, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Eva S. Hoseth, MD, Mari Nerhus, MD, Trine V. Lagerberg, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Nils E. Steen, MD, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Drammen District Psychiatric Centre, Clinic of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway; Ingrid Agartz, MD, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Ingrid Melle, MD, PhD, Ingrid Dieset, MD, PhD, NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Univ
Background:
Common variants in the Vaccinia-related kinase 2 (VRK2) gene have been associated with schizophrenia, but the relevance of its encoded protein VRK2 in the disorder remains unclear.
Aims:
To identify potential differences in VRK2 gene expression levels between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified (PNOS) and healthy controls.
Method:
VRK2 mRNA level was measured in whole blood in 652 individuals (schizophrenia, n = 201; bipolar disorder, n = 167; PNOS, n = 61; healthy controls, n = 223), and compared across diagnostic categories and subcategories. Additionally, we analysed for association between 1566 VRK2 single nucleotide polymorphisms and mRNA levels.
Results:
We found lower VRK2 mRNA levels in schizophrenia compared with healthy controls (P<10(-12)), bipolar disorder (P<10(-12)) and PNOS (P = 0.0011), and lower levels in PNOS than in healthy controls (P = 0.0042) and bipolar disorder (P = 0.00026). Expression quantitative trait loci in close proximity to the transcription start site of the short isoforms of the VRK2 gene were identified.
Conclusions:
Altered VRK2 gene expression seems specific for schizophrenia and PNOS, which is in accordance with findings from genome-wide association studies. These results suggest that reduced VRK2 mRNA levels are involved in the underlying mechanisms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
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