Laith AL-EITAN, Sahar AL-HABAHBEH, Rami ALKHATIB

Genetic association analysis of ERBB4 polymorphisms with the risk of schizophrenia susceptibility in a Jordanian population of Arab descent

Background/aim: The ERBB4 gene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase and is considered to be one of the risk genes of schizophrenia. Although there is evidence of the roles of genes and the environment in the etiology of schizophrenia, a comprehensive biological and genetic background of the disease is still lacking. The aim of this study is to assess whether genetic variation in the human ERBB4 gene is associated with vulnerability to schizophrenia in the Jordanian Arab population. Materials and methods:A total of 185 inpatients with schizophrenia participated in this study and 195 healthy genetically homogeneous individuals were also used as controls. Two genetic variants, rs839523 (G/A, intron 2) and rs3748962 (A/G, exon 27), encompassing the ERBB4 gene were genotyped using DNA sequencing. Results: The results revealed a strong and statistically significant genetic association of rs839523 with schizophrenia (P = 0.002 for allele and P = 0.006 for genotype). Conclusion: This study provides strong statistical evidence that there is an association between the ERBB4 gene and schizophrenia in a Jordanian population of Arab descent.

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