Association between the ionotropic glutamate receptor kainate3 (GRIK3) Ser310Ala polymorphism and schizophrenia in the Indian population

Various studies have been done to check the status of glutamate receptor gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The T928G (Ser310Ala) polymorphism of ionotropic glutamate receptor kainate 3 gene (GRIK3) and its positive association with schizophrenia was reported in Caucasians, whereas no association of this polymorphism with schizophrenia was shown in two other populations, Chinese and Japanese. However, no literature is available regarding the prevalence of this polymorphism and its association with schizophrenia in the Indian population. As genetic susceptibility profiles in India are often different from those of white Caucasians or Orientals, we investigated the status of Ser310Ala polymorphism of GRIK3 in 100 schizophrenic patients and 100 healthy controls in the Indian population by the PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. A statistically significant difference in the genotype and allelic distributions (P < 0.000001 and P = 0.01, respectively) of Ser310Ala polymorphism was found in schizophrenics than in control, considering Ala-allele as being associated with the disease (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.137 - 2.540). Our study suggests a potential role for GRIK3 for susceptibility to schizophrenia in Indian population.