Development of the biomarker for suicide prediction using the methylation at the gene promoters

为预防抑郁症患者的自杀行为，我们检测了50例抑郁症患者脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、Trk B受体、5-羟色胺转运体（5 HTT）和降钙素2c受体基因外显子I启动子的甲基化水平，并探讨了表观遗传生物标志物预测自杀的可能性。我们从外周血中提取DNA，并使用MassARRAY系统测量这4个基因中149个CpG的甲基化水平。各CpG甲基化水平与汉密尔顿抑郁量表评定的自杀意念严重程度无显著相关性，而与早期创伤量表评定的早期创伤严重程度有显著相关性。基于这些发现，推测5 HTT基因中CpG的甲基化水平可能是预测自杀的适当生物标志物。

To prevent the suicide in major depression, we measured the methylation levels at the promoter of exon I of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Trk B receptor, serotonin transporter (5HTT), and serotonin2c receptor gene in 50 patients with major depression and examined the possibility of the epigenetic biomarker for suicide prediction. We extracted DNA from peripheral blood and measured the methylation levels at the 149 CpGs in these 4 genes using MassARRAY system. No significant relationship between the methylation level of each CpG and the severity of suicidal idea evaluated by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was found. However, there were significant correlations betweeen the methylation levels of 5HTT CpGs and the sevirity of eraly adversities evaluated by the Early TRauma Inventry. Based on these findings, it is postulated taht the methylation levels of CpGs in the 5HTT gene may be an appropriate biomarker for suicide prediction.