Depression Scientific Publications

Latest publication 06/10/2026

Linking GWAS risk genes to transcriptional features of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex disorder with numerous risk genes identified through genome-wide association studies, but their in...

Array
(
    [id_prestablog_news] => 2556
    [id_shop] => 1
    [date] => 2026-06-10 00:00:00
    [date_modification] => 2026-06-10 00:00:00
    [langues] => ["1","2"]
    [actif] => 1
    [slide] => 0
    [url_redirect] => 
    [average_rating] => 
    [number_rating] => 
    [author_id] => 1
    [featured] => 0
    [ishero] => 0
    [prim_key] => 4979
    [id_lang] => 1
    [title] => Linking GWAS risk genes to transcriptional features of major depressive disorder
    [paragraph] => Linking GWAS risk genes to transcriptional features of major depressive disorder via in vivo Perturb-seq
    [content] => 
Authors
Zhang, Liansheng, Kong, Xiangrui, Ma, Qi, Hu, Xinde, Cai, Shicheng, Wang, Bo, Zou, Weijuan, Bai, Tao, Zhang, Meimei, Fan, Liu, Tan, Runlin, Dai, Ziji, Jia, Zhiheng, Li, Tianwen, Liu, Xingyu, Xu, Huatai, Wu, Jianrong, Zheng, Yuanyi, Xu, Zhengzheng, Zhou, Haibo

Lab
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing; China; Ltd.; Shanghai; China
Journal
Nature Genetics
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex disorder with numerous risk genes identified through genome-wide association studies, but their in vivo functions remain unclear. Here we built an in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV)-Perturb-seq system to perform parallel loss-of-function screening of MDD risk genes in the mouse brain and to define their transcriptional effects and functional relationships. By comparing perturbation profiles with transcriptomic data from patients with MDD, we identified a cluster of risk genes whose loss led to neuronal downregulation of oxytocin signaling, a feature shared with patients with MDD. Mechanistic studies using Dennd1a as an example revealed that its neuron-specific downregulation impaired the oxytocin receptor–extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Pharmacological enhancement of this pathway alleviated depressive-like phenotypes in Dennd1a-deficient mice and restored oxytocin signaling in DENND1A-deficient human neurons, highlighting the importance of patient stratification for targeted treatment in complex diseases such as psychiatric disorders. The authors optimize and apply in vivo AAV-Perturb-seq to systematically profile GWAS-linked major depressive disorder risk genes and their corresponding transcriptomic features in the mouse brain.
Keywords/Topics
Depression; Genome-wide association studies; High-throughput screening; Transcriptomics
    [meta_description] => 
    [meta_keywords] => https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-026-02638-3
    [meta_title] => 
    [link_rewrite] => Linking-GWAS-risk-genes-to-transcriptional-features-of-major-depressive-disorder-via-in-vivo-Perturb-seq
    [actif_langue] => 1
    [read] => 75
    [count_comments] => 0
    [id] => 2556
    [categories] => Array
        (
            [57] => Array
                (
                    [id_prestablog_categorie] => 57
                    [title] => Depression
                    [link_rewrite] => Depression
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [id_prestablog_categorie] => 2
                    [title] => Publications
                    [link_rewrite] => publications
                )

        )

    [authors] => 
    [paragraph_crop] => Linking GWAS risk genes to transcriptional features of major depressive disorder via in vivo [...]
    [link_for_unique] => 1
    [products_liaison] => Array
        (
            [2] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Tail Suspension Test - Wireless
                    [description_short] => 
Bioseb's version 5 of the Tail Suspension Test system, based on both strain sensors and video acquisition, is the only fully automatic solution in the world for running a simple and objective despair test on mice. It is a fast, painless, and reliable way for testing psychotropic effects from stimulant doses of drugs such as anti-depressants and sedatives. This classic and painless research test for anxiety and depression is now offered with a new, powerful and modern software, in a wireless, bluetooth-based version.

                    [thumb] => 
                    [img_empty] => /var/www/vhosts/de3310.ispfr.net/bioseb2024/modules/prestablog/views/img/product_link_white.jpg
                    [image_presente] => 1
                    [link] => https://bioseb.com/en/anxiety-depression-disorder/2-tail-suspension-test-wireless.html
                )

        )

)
1