Genome-wide association study of monoamine metabolite levels in human cerebrospinal fluid

Mol Psychiatry. 2014 Feb;19(2):228-34. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.183. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

Studying genetic determinants of intermediate phenotypes is a powerful tool to increase our understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations. Metabolic traits pertinent to the central nervous system (CNS) constitute a potentially informative target for genetic studies of intermediate phenotypes as their genetic underpinnings may elucidate etiological mechanisms. We therefore conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of monoamine metabolite (MM) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 414 human subjects from the general population. In a linear model correcting for covariates, we identified one locus associated with MMs at a genome-wide significant level (standardized β=0.32, P=4.92 × 10(-8)), located 20 kb from SSTR1, a gene involved with brain signal transduction and glutamate receptor signaling. By subsequent whole-genome expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis, we provide evidence that this variant controls expression of PDE9A (β=0.21; P unadjusted=5.6 × 10(-7); P corrected=0.014), a gene previously implicated in monoaminergic transmission, major depressive disorder and antidepressant response. A post hoc analysis of loci significantly associated with psychiatric disorders suggested that genetic variation at CSMD1, a schizophrenia susceptibility locus, plays a role in the ratio between dopamine and serotonin metabolites in CSF. The presented DNA and mRNA analyses yielded genome-wide and suggestive associations in biologically plausible genes, two of which encode proteins involved with glutamate receptor functionality. These findings will hopefully contribute to an exploration of the functional impact of the highlighted genes on monoaminergic transmission and neuropsychiatric phenotypes.

MeSH terms

  • 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / genetics
  • Adult
  • Biogenic Monoamines / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mental Disorders / genetics
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Substances

  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • CSMD1 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases
  • PDE9A protein, human
  • Homovanillic Acid