An analysis of POMC gene methylation and expression in patients with schizophrenia

In this study, we evaluated three fragments of the POMC promoter region, including 51 CpG sites, in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The POMC protein level was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The schizophrenia group exhibited significantly greater levels of methylation of the POMC gene than those in the control group. The methylation level of the POMC-2 fragment was significantly greater in the patient group than in the control group. There were 17 significantly hypermethylated CpG sites in the patient group. After stratification by sex, POMC methylation levels were found to be significantly greater in male schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls; the methylation levels of POMC-2 fragments were greater in the male patient group; nine CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated in the male patient group; and only one CpG site was significantly hypermethylated in the female patient group. The POMC protein level in patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls. These findings demonstrate that the DNA methylation of POMC might be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Overall, studying the correlation between POMC methylation and schizophrenia may contribute to the diagnosis and evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders.PMID:38343101 | DOI:10.1002/jdn.10319
Source: International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Source Type: research