The impact of PER3 VNTR polymorphism on the development of schizophrenia in a Turkish population

Ozsoy F., YIgIt S., Nursal A.F., Kulu M., Karakus N.

M.D., Specialist, Department of Psychiatry, Tokat State Hospital, Tokat, Turkey
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
M.D., Specialist, Department of Psychiatry, Tokat Dr.Cevdet Aykan Mental Health and Diseases Hospital, Tokat, Turkey

Up to 80 % of patients who suffer from schizophrenia have sleep impairments, which affect physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Several tandem repeat polymorphisms (VNTRs) in the Period 3 (Per3) gene have been associated with heritable sleep and circadian variables. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the VNTR variant of the PER3 gene and genetic predisposition of schizophrenia in a Turkish population. Blood samples were taken from 100 patients with schizophrenia, and from 100 normal controls who are age and sexmatched. PER3 genotyping was performed on DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. For the PER3 VNTR polymorphism, we found no significant differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequency, between the schizophrenia and control groups. No association was noted between clinical and demographical characteristics of schizophrenia patients and the PER3 VNTR genotype distribution. This is the first study investigating association of the PER3 VNTR polymorphism with schizophrenia in a Turkish population. In conclusion, the results of this study do not support an association between the PER3 VNTR polymorphism and risk of schizophrenia in a Turkish population.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Period 3, gene, polymorphism, PCR, VNTR

TSitologiya i Genetika
2021, vol. 55, no. 2, 77-78

Cytology and Genetics
2021, vol. 55, no. 2, 188–193,
doi: 10.3103/S0095452721020109

Full text and supplemented materials

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