How to selecte gene for epigenetics research? - imprinted gene or gene with expression change ? (Jul/11/2005 )

Hi,all!

I am newer in epigenetics research of human disease. I am studying epigenetics of schizophrenia. There are two lines of selecting candidate genes for study in my mind.

First, in design, I am intended to select several genes with expression changed in serum of schizophrenia according to microarray data or other expression research for study. Does this evidence sufficient for selecting these genes?

Second, in cancer epigenetic research, imprinted genes usually selected for study, could someone give me some reason why these genes are important in epigenetics?

Which one line is preferable in selecting gene in epigenetics research?


Thanks for any answer!

>>First, in design, I am intended to select several genes with expression changed in serum of schizophrenia according to microarray data or other expression research for study. Does this evidence sufficient for selecting these genes?
This sounds like a good strategy.

>>Second, in cancer epigenetic research, imprinted genes usually selected for study, could someone give me some reason why these genes are important in epigenetics?

Not exactly. Imprinted genes such as H19 and IGF2 are found to be hypomethylated resulting in loss of imprinting (LOI) in certain types of cancer such as Wilma's tumor. Most cancer related epigenetic studies focus on hypermethylated genes. I think your hypothesis is novel but don't know what observations lead you to your hypothesis. You may test whether LOI is associated with schizophrenia.

>>Which one line is preferable in selecting gene in epigenetics research?
As genetic variations, epigenetic changes (hyper and hypo-methylation) may also be associated with any type of diseases. Just go ahead and prove it.