Association of the VRK2 gene rs3732136 polymorphism with schizophrenia in a Northwest Chinese Han population

Previous studies have found that the vaccinia related kinase 2 gene (VRK2) polymorphism was associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) in the worldwide population. This association was further supported by VRK2 mRNA expression patterns and brain structure variations. Here, we analyzed four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VRK2 gene in a total population of 893 samples, consisting of 360 patients with SCZ and 533 healthy controls of Han Chinese descent using the SNPscan method. Single SNP, haplotype, and gender-specific association analyses were performed. We found that rs3732136 was significantly associated with SCZ (P = 0.042; odds ratio = 1.25; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.55). Further genotype and haplotype association analyses suggested a similar pattern. Our data provide preliminary evidence that the VRK2 gene might play a major role in the development of SCZ in the Northwest Chinese Han population.