Do damaging variants of SLC6A9, the gene for the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT-1), protect against schizophrenia?

Abstract

AimsTo test whether genetic variants predicted to impair the functionality of SLC6A9, which codes for the GlyT-1 glycine transporter, are protective against schizophrenia. MethodIn an exome sequenced sample of 4225 schizophrenia cases and 5834 controls variants occurring in SLC6A9 were annotated and weights were assigned using GENEVARASSOC. Genotype counts were compared using SCOREASSOC. ResultsVariants predicted to be deleterious by SIFT and damaging by PolyPhen were examined. Genotypes at 1:44466494-G/A seemed likely to be erroneous. If these were ignored then there were 15 damaging variants in controls and 5 in cases. ConclusionsThe results are consistent with the hypothesis that variants which damage SLC6A9 are protective against schizophrenia but a larger sample would be required to confirm this. Declaration of interestThe author declares no conflict of interest.