Polymorphism of AKT1 gene in depressive disorders

Protein kinase Akt1 is an important intracellular signaling protein involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. It is known that Akt1 regulates serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission, BDNF and NGF receptors transmission, inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) activity that makes possible a fact of involvement of Akt1 into depression pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate association of two AKT1 gene polymorphisms (rs1130214 and rs3730358) with depressive disorders. 107 DNA samples taken from depressive patients and 103 DNA samples from physically and mentally healthy donors of Caucasian population from Siberia were genotyped. Investigation showed no association of these polymorphisms with depressive disorders in groups. Further investigations of Akt1 gene may clarify its role in depressive disorders pathogenesis.