Evaluation of Whole Genome Association Study Data in Bipolar Disorders: Potential Novel SNPs and Genes

Objective: As a result of studies of multifactorial conditions, genetic, physiological and environmental factors, the overall heritability of bipolar disorders has been estimated to be up to 70%. In this study, an analysis of genome-wide association study data using data mining algorithms has revealed single-nucleotide polymorphisms that may be the basis for the molecular etiology of bipolar disorders.

Methods: The study was conducted as a case-control study, and data from the Whole Genome Association Study of Bipolar Disorder (dbGaP Study Accession: phs000017.v3.p1) were used. The goal of the project was to identify genes that make individuals more susceptible to bipolar disorders. The data set included 1767 controls and 653 bipolar disorder only cases. Genotyping data were generated by Affymetrix Affy 6.0. A total of 934,940 oligos were scanned.

Results: Various data mining approaches have identified 6 common SNPs which also have a statistically higher importance than others (rs10415145, rs10857580, rs11023096, rs4654814, rs4792189, rs7569781). rs10415145 is located on chromosome 19 at 19q13.11 and is related to ZNF507 (Zinc Finger Protein 507). While there are no publications reporting ZNF507 in bipolar disorders, a few publications exist studying other zinc finger protein genes. In addition, because it had the highest regulome score, DOCK10 was found to be a potentially related gene.

Conclusion: Zinc finger protein genes may play a role in the etiology of bipolar disorders. More detailed studies would help clarify this relation and describe its pathway.