The role of PRO197LEU polymorphism of the glutathione peroxidase 1 gene in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and the allele distribution in the turkish population

ABSTRACTTHE ROLE OF PRO197LEU POLYMORPHISM OF THE GLUTATHIONEPEROXIDASE 1 GENE IN THE ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA ANDTHE ALLELE DISTRIBUTION IN THE TURKISH POPULATIONSchizophrenia is a complex disease and characterized with psychosis, cognitive disfunctionand negative symptoms. It generally begins before the age of 25 and continues through thelife. The etiology is unknown in most cases. The interaction of genetic and environmentalfactors is responsible from the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Free radicals and antioxidantsystem are in balance in the body. The balance shifts to oxidants resulted from oxidativestress and leads to schizophrenia with some suspected and unknown mechanisms. In thisstudy, we aimed to elucidate the role of the pro197leu polymorphism of glutathioneperoxidase 1 enzyme, the major subunit of glutathione peroxidase, in the etiopathogenesis ofschizophrenia.The study composed of 100 patients (54 males and 46 females) and 100 healthy volunteers(66 males and 34 females). The study was conducted with the PCR\RFLP method. In patientgroup, the rates of Pro\Pro, Pro\Leu, and Leu\Leu genotypes were found as 48 %, 43 %, 9 % ,respectively. In control group, they were found as 57 %, 34 %, 9 %, respectively.There were no statistically significant differences between the patient and control groups withregard to genotypes and between males and females in the patient group with regard to allelefrequencies.In conclusion, the Pro197Leu polymorphism of GPX1 gene does not constitute anysusceptibility for our population.Key Words: Schizophrenia, Glutathione Peroxidase 1, Polymorphism.