The SNP rs1625579 in miR-137 gene and risk of schizophrenia in Chinese population: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with a high heritability. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1625579 (G/T; T is the common and presumed risk allele) within an intron of miR-137 gene has been recently suggested to contribute to the susceptibility to schizophrenia by a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a sample of predominantly European ancestry. However, subsequent genetic association studies in Chinese population yielded inconsistent results. Methods A meta-analysis reporting the association between rs1625579 and schizophrenia in Chinese population was carried out, pooling 4 eligible case-control studies involving 2847 patients and 3018 controls. Results This meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between rs1625579 and schizophrenia under the allele model [T versus G, odds ratio (OR):1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.36] and the recessive model (TT versus GT + GG; OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.04-1.37). Additionally, a marginal significant association under the additive model (TT versus GG; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.00-2.69) was observed. However, no significant association was observed under the dominant model (TT + GT versus GG; OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 0.97-2.59). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggested that the SNP rs1625579 in miR-137 gene might be involved in schizophrenia susceptibility in Chinese Han population.