Association study of glycogen synthase kinase-3β gene polymorphisms and major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) rs334558 gene polymorphism and major depressive disorder (MDD) in Han Chinese. Methods Genotypes and alleles frequency of GSK-3β rs334558 polymorphism were examined in 250 patients and 300 healthy controls by the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). SPSS 17.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Results (1) GSK-3β rs334558 locus of CC, CT+ TT genotypes and alleles frequency distribution between patient group (CC, CT+ TT genotypes: 38.4%, 61.6%.C, T alleles: 63.2%, 36.8%) and control group (CC, CT+ TT genotypes: 43.0%, 57.0%.C, T alleles: 67.2%, 32.8%) had no significant difference (χ2=1.194, P=0.275.χ2=1.895 P=0.169); (2) There were significant differences of rs334558 genotypes and alleles between patient group (CC, CT+ TT genotypes: 37.9%, 62.1%.C, T alleles: 63.5%, 36.5%) and control group (CC, CT+ TT genotypes: 51.0%, 49.0%.C, T alleles: 72.4%, 27.6%) in female (χ2=6.499, P=0.011.χ2=6.858, P=0.009). T allele was a risk factor for female MDD compared with C allele (OR=1.504, 95%CI=1.107~2.043); (3) There was no association between rs334558 polymorphism and MDD severity in female (χ2=0.519, P=0.471.χ2=0.199, P=0.656). Conclusion This study suggests that GSK-3β rs334558 polymorphism may be associated with the onset of MDD among female, and T allele may be a risk factor. But there is no association between polymorphism and severity of female MDD. Key words: Major depressive disorder; Glycogen synthase kinase-3β; Gene polymorphism