DNA methylation differences in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia identifies psychosis related genes and networks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite their singular origin, monozygotic twin pairs often display discordance for complex disorders including schizophrenia. It is a common (1%) and often familial disease with a discordance rate of ~50% in monozygotic twins. This high discordance is often explained by the role of yet unknown environmental, random, and epigenetic factors. The involvement of DNA methylation in this disease appears logical, but remains to be established.

Methods

We have used blood DNA from two pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia and their parents in order to assess genome-wide methylation using a NimbleGen Methylation Promoter Microarray.

Results

The genome-wide results show that differentially methylated regions (DMRs) exist between members representing

SUBMITTER: Castellani CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4494167 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature