Aim: The CYP19A1 gene encodes the key aromatase for estrogen biosynthesis, and this study aimed to explore the relationship between CYP19A1 rs6493497 and rs936306 polymorphisms and depression risk. Methods: CYP19A1 rs6493497 and rs936306 genotyping was performed on 502 depression patients and 504 healthy controls. Results: In the general population, no significant association was observed between the CYP19A1 rs6493497 variant and depression, whereas that CYP19A1 rs936306 variant significantly reduced depression risk in the recessive model. In subgroup analysis, a significant association of the CYP19A1 rs6493497 variant with reduced depression risk was found in males aged 46-65 in the genotype, dominant and additive models. Conclusion: The CYP19A1 rs936306 variant may reduce depression risk, and the rs6493497 variant is associated with decreased depression risk in males aged 46-65.
Keywords: CYP19A1; aromatase; depression; genetic association; polymorphism; risk.
The cause of depression is complex and not fully elucidated; the research evidence suggests that changes in estrogen levels may partly account for the risk of the onset of depression. The CYP19A1 gene encodes the key enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis, and this study aimed to explore whether the two loci (rs6493497 and rs936306) variants of the CYP19A1 gene are associated with the risk of occurrence of depression. Five hundred two patients with depression and 504 healthy controls were enrolled. The results of this study indicate that the CYP19A1 gene rs936306 variant may reduce the risk of occurrence of depression, and the rs6493497 variant is associated with decreased depression risk in men aged 46–65.