We had previously identified the clock gene D-box binding protein (Dbp) as a potential candidate gene for bipolar disorder and for alcoholism, using a Convergent Functional Genomics (CFG) approach.
A multi-locus interaction between rs6442925 in the 5' upstream of BHLHB2, rs1534891 in CSNK1E, and rs534654 near the 3' end of the CLOCK gene, however, is significantly associated with BP (P = 0.00000172).
We have assessed evidence for linkage and association involving polymorphisms in 10 circadian clock genes (ARNTL, CLOCK, CRY2, CSNK1epsilon, DBP, GSK3beta, NPAS2, PER1, PER2, and PER3) to BPAD.
One of the human circadian clock genes, cryptochrome 1 (Cry1) (located on 12q23-q24.1) was analyzed because of its close correspondence to a linkage hotspot for bipolar disorder.
This preliminary observation leads to hypothesize a role for the CLOCK gene polymorphism in the regulation of long-term illness recurrence in bipolar disorder.
The human Clock gene has been proposed as a possible candidate for disorders affected by alterations of circadian rhythm, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.