Correlations of PTEN genetic polymorphisms with the risk of depression and depressive symptoms in a Chinese population

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlations of three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PTEN gene (rs701848 T > C, rs2735343 G > C and rs112025902 A > T) with the risk of depression and depressive symptoms in a Chinese population. Methods From July 2011 to June 2013, a total of 384 patients with depression and 400 healthy individuals were included in this study. These SNPs in the PTEN gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and direct sequencing. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the severity of depression. Results The C allele of rs701848, the C allele of rs2735343 and the T allele of rs112025902 were associated with an increased risk of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 3.814, 95% CI: 3.093–4.703, P P P P PTEN gene may be independent risk factors of depression (relative risk [RR] = 1.807, 95% CI = 1.023–3.193, P  = 0.042; RR = 1.759, 95% CI = 1.033–2.995, P  = 0.038; RR = 1.646, 95% CI = 1.018–2.663, P  = 0.042; respectively). Conclusion Our findings provide evidence that rs701848, rs2735343 and rs112025902 polymorphisms in the PTEN gene may be correlated with the risk of depression and depressive symptoms in the Chinese population.