Exploring DNA methylation within the CYP17A gene as a potential mediator between childhood adversity and stress-related phenotypes in schizophrenia

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Stress caused by childhood adversity (CA) is known to contribute to schizophrenia risk and symptoms. Its effects might be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation (meDNA) within relevant genes, and predominantly influence the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). CYP17A1 is a candidate, as it situates within a schizophrenia risk locus and is involved in glucocorticoid synthesis.

Objectives

To explore meDNA within CYP17A and its relations to hippocampus- and PFC-dependent schizophrenia symptoms: depression and deficits of declarative memory and executive functions.

Methods

We assessed meDNA at each CpG within a CYP17A fragment (chr10:104594471-104595887, hg19) in blood of 66 schizophrenia patients using the third-generation s

SUBMITTER: Alfimova M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9563213 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature