Lack of linkage or association between schizophrenia and the polymorphic trinucleotide repeat within the KCNN3 gene on chromosome 1q21

To determine the importance of a candidate gene KCNN3 (formerly named hSKCa 3) in the susceptibility to schizophrenia, we have studied the genotypes of a (CAG)n polymorphism within this gene in the DNAs of the members of 54 mu ltiplex families with this disease, Parametric and nonparametric linkage an alysis did not provide evidence for linkage between KCNN3 (that we mapped t o chromosome 1q21) and schizophrenia. Furthermore, we observed no differenc e in the distribution of the (CAG)n alleles between affected and normal ind ividuals. These results: do not support the hypothesis that larger KCNN3 al leles are preferentially associated with schizophrenia [Chandy et al. 1998 Mol Psychiatr 3:32-37] in individuals from multiply affected families. Amer , J. Med, Genet, (Neuropsychiatr. Genet,) 88:348-351, 1999, (C) 1999:Wiley- Liss, Inc.