Linkage disequilibrium mapping of a chromosome 15q25-26 major depression linkage region and sequencing of NTRK3.

Background: We reported genome-wide significant linkage on chromosome 15q25.3-26.2 to recurrent early-onset major depressive disorder (MDD-RE). Here we present initial linkage-disequilibrium (LD) fine mapping of this signal and sequence analysis of NTRK3 (neurotrophic receptor kinase-3), a biologically plausible candidate gene.

Methods: In 300 pedigrees informative for family-based association, 1195 individuals were genotyped for 795 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). We resequenced 21 exons and 7 highly conserved NTRK3 regions in 176 MDD-RE cases to test for an excess of rare functional variants and, 176 controls for case-control analysis of common variants.

Results: LD mapping showed nominally significant association in NTRK3, FLJ12484, RHCG, DKFZp547K1113, VPS33B, SV2B, SLCO3A1, RGMA, and MCTP2 with MDD-RE. In NTRK3, five SNPs had nominally significant p values (.035-.001). Sequence analysis revealed 35 variants (24 novel, including 9 rare exonic); the number of rare variants did not exceed chance expectation. Case-control analysis of 13 common variants showed modest nominal association of MDD-RE with rs4887379, rs6496463, and rs3825882 (p = .008, .048, and .034), which were in partial LD with four of five associated SNPs from the family-based experiment.

Conclusions: Common variants in NTRK3 or other genes identified might play a role in MDD-RE. However, much larger studies are required for full evaluation of this region.