A novel replicated association between FXYD6 gene and schizophrenia

FXYD6 gene is located in chromosome region 11q22–q24 where previous studies have shown an association with schizophrenia. However, the subsequent studies failed to replicate this finding. To investigate the relationship between FXYD6 locus and schizophrenia in Chinese population, we genotyped six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this region of FXYD6 in 1142 Han Chinese subjects (576 cases and 566 controls), and performed an association analysis. Significant associations with schizophrenia and the marker rs11544201 (P = 0.0028) and the haplotype rs10790212–rs11544201 (global P = 0.005) were found. Our results support that FXYD6 is a susceptibility gene of schizophrenia. Replication of larger samples and functional analysis of FXYD6 are needed.

Research highlights
► Our work provides full support for evidence of the FXYD6 gene associated with schizophrenia.
► We genotyped six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this region of FXYD6 in 1142 Han Chinese subjects (576 cases and 566 controls), and performed an association analysis.
► Significant associations of schizophrenia with the marker rs11544201 (P = 0.0028) and the haplotype rs10790212–rs11544201 (global P = 0.005) were found in our study.