Citation

Kouter K, Zupanc T, Paska AV. World J. Biol. Psychiatry 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, World Federation of the Societies of Biological Psychiatry, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15622975.2022.2046291

PMID

35200087

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in regulation of many pathologies, including suicidal behaviour. However, the factors through which epigenetics affect suicidal behaviour are not fully understood.

METHODS: We analysed DNA methylation of eight neuropsychiatric genes (NR3C1, SLC6A4, HTR1A, TPH2, SKA2, MAOA, GABRA1, and NRIP3) in brain regions (hippocampus, insula, amygdala, Brodmann area 46) and blood of 25 male suicide victims and 28 male control subjects, using bisulfite next-generation sequencing.

RESULTS: Comparing mean methylation values, notable changes were observed in NR3C1 (insula p-value =0.05), HTR1A (insula p-value <0.001, blood p-value =0.001), SKA2 (insula p-value =0.03, blood p-value =0.016), MAOA (blood p-value <0.001), GABRA1 (insula p-value =0.05, blood p-value =0.024) and NRIP3 (hippocampus p-value =0.001, insula p-value =0.002, amygdala p-value =0.014). Comparing methylation pattern between blood and brain, similarity was observed between blood and insula for HTR1A. Gene expression analysis in hippocampus revealed changes in expression of NR3C1 (p-value =0.049), SLC6A4 (p-value =0.017) and HTR1A (p-value =0.053).

CONCLUSIONS: Results provide an insight into the altered state of DNA methylation in suicidal behaviour. Epigenetic differences could therefore affect suicidal behaviour in both previously known and in novel neuropsychiatric candidate genes.

Language: en

Keywords

psychiatry; suicidal behaviour; biomarker; epigenetics; next-generation sequencing