Epigenetic evidence for involvement of the oxytocin receptor gene in obsessive-compulsive disorder

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Cappi, Carolina ; Diniz, Juliana Belo ; Requena, Guaraci L. ; Lourenco, Tiaya ; Garcia Lisboa, Bianca Cristina ; Batistuzzo, Marcelo Camargo ; Marques, Andrea H. ; Hoexter, Marcelo Q. ; Pereira, Carlos A. ; Miguel, Euripedes Constantino ; Brentani, Helena

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: BMC NEUROSCIENCE; v. 17, NOV 30 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 14

Resumo

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects up to 3% of the general population. Although epigenetic mechanisms play a role in neurodevelopment disorders, epigenetic pathways associated with OCD have rarely been investigated. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in neurobehavioral functions. Oxytocin has been shown to be associated with the regulation of complex socio-cognitive processes such as attachment, social exploration, and social recognition, as well as anxiety and other stress-related behaviors. Oxytocin has also been linked to the pathophysiology of OCD, albeit inconsistently. The aim of this study was to investigate methylation in two targets sequences located in the exon III of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), in OCD patients and healthy controls. We used bisulfite sequencing to quantify DNA methylation in peripheral blood samples collected from 42 OCD patients and 31 healthy controls. Results: We found that the level of methylation of the cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites in two targets sequences analyzed was greater in the OCD patients than in the controls. The higher methylation in the OCD patients correlated with OCD severity. We measured DNA methylation in the peripheral blood, which prevented us from drawing any conclusions about processes in the central nervous system. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating DNA methylation of the OXTR in OCD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the roles that DNA methylation and oxytocin play in OCD. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/01585-5 - Variações raras de novo e hereditárias no genoma de pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo
• Beneficiário: Carolina Cappi
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 08/11537-7 - Variações no Número de Cópias no Genoma de Pacientes com Transtorno Obsessivo Compulsivo
• Beneficiário: Carolina Cappi
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado