BanI polymorphism of the cytosolic phospholipase A₂ gene and mood disorders in the Korean population

Membrane phospholipid abnormalities have been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders, and in signal transduction and neurotransmitter uptake. Cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA ₂) is not only an essential enzyme in the metabolism of fatty acids but also in signaling process. Therefore, we examined the association between the BanI polymorphism of the cPLA₂ gene and mood disorders. Sixty-two patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 50 patients with bipolar I disorder (BID) and 117 healthy controls participated in this study. Genotyping was performed by using PCR-based methods. Genotype and allele distributions in MDD patients were significantly different from those of the controls. In particular, the A2 allele was associated with increased risk of MDD development (p = 0.007, odds ratio = 1.827; confidence interval = 1.141-2.927). However, the polymorphism was not different between BID patients and controls in genotype and allele distribution. This preliminary study indicates the need for further studies on the potential role of the cPLA₂ gene polymorphism in the susceptibility to mood disorders.