Peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA in depression and following electroconvulsive therapy

The E2F transcription factors are a group of proteins that bind to the promotor region of the adenovirus E2 gene. E2F1, the first family member to be cloned, is linked to functions including cell proliferation and apoptosis, DNA repair, cell senescence and metabolism. We recently performed a deep sequencing study of micro-RNA changes in whole blood following ECT. Two micro-RNAs (miR-126-3p and miR-106a-5p) were identified and gene targeting analysis identified E2F1 as a shared target of these miRNAs. To our knowledge, no studies have examined E2F1 mRNA levels in patients with depression. Peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA levels were therefore examined in patients with depression, compared to healthy controls, and the effects of a course of ECT on peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA was investigated. Depressed patient and healthy control groups were balanced on the basis of age and sex. E2F1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in depressed patients in comparison to controls (p = .009) but did not change with ECT. There was no relationship between baseline E2F1 levels and depression severity, response to treatment, presence of psychosis or polarity of depression. There were no significant correlations between E2F1 levels and mood scores based on the HAM-D24. These results indicate that reduced peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA could be a trait feature of depression. •Peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA levels are significantly lower in patients with depression than in healthy controls.•Peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA levels do not change following a course of ECT.•Peripheral blood E2F1 mRNA levels are not related to depression severity and are not associated with the response to ECT.