Genetic Variations in FTSJ1 Influence Cognitive Ability in Young Males in the Chinese Han Population

Abstract

Human cognitive ability is a trait that is known to be significantly influenced by genetic factors. Previous linkage data provide evidence suggesting that gene FtsJ homolog 1 (Escherichia coli) is associated with mental retardation. The gene may have a relation to individual differences in cognitive ability because it is most critical for brain development. In the present research, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (rs2268954, rs2070991, and rs5905692) in FtsJ homolog 1 (E. coli) are selected and genotyped by the PCR-SSCP method. An analysis of variance is performed to determine the relationship between the SNPs and cognitive ability of the Chinese Han population of youth in Qinba mountain. There are significant correlations between the variance in FtsJ homolog 1 (E. coli) and general cognitive ability, verbal comprehension, and preceptual organization. These findings suggest that genetic variations in FtsJ homolog 1 (E. coli) possibly influence human cognitive ability.

Keywords:

• general cognitive ability
• FtsJ homolog 1 (E. coli)
• single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
• analysis of variance
• mental retardation

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank all the participants and researchers in this study. This work was supported by the Special Prophase Project on Basic Research of The National Department of Science and Technology (2007 CB516702) and “the Tenth Five-Year Plan” National Tackle Problem Item (No. 2001BA901A49).