Interaction of GNβ3 gene polymorphisms and environmental factors in susceptibility to major depressive disorder

Objective To explore the association between GNβ3 gene and depression, and to investigate the interaction of gene-environment(negative life events and childhood trauma) and potential possible pathogenesis of depression. Methods The sample of peripheral blood was collected from Chinese Northern patients(n=500) and controls(n=500). Snapshot technique was used to detect the genotype frequency and allele frequency of GNβ3 rs5443 polymorphism in cases and controls. The genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by Chi-square test, the interactions of gene-environment were analyzed by Logistic regression. Results GNβ3 rs5443 genotype and allele frequencies were observed between patients and controls (χ2=20.249, P<0.01; χ2=4.803, P<0.05). There were genotype CC 102 and 158, genotype CT 280 and 217, genotype TT 118 and 125; allele C 484 and 533, allele T 516 and 467 between patients and controls, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the interaction between rs5443 T+ and negative life events was associated with depression (P<0.05, OR=1.957). In addition, individual carrying rs5443T+ genotypes and negative life events could increase risk of depression. Conclusion GNβ3 rs5443 is a possible susceptibility gene of depression. The interaction between rs5443 and negative life events is associated with depression. Key words: Depression; GNβ3 gene; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Environmental factor; Interaction