Recent genome-wide association studies have pointed to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the neuronal calcium channel CaV1.2 (CACNA1C; rs1006737) and the presynaptic active zone protein Piccolo (PCLO; rs2522833) as risk factors for affective disorders, particularly major depression.
Genome-wide association studies have identified consistent association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the α-1 C subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel gene (CACNA1C) with MDD and BD, suggesting CACNA1C as a promising candidate gene for susceptibility to mood disorders.
These results suggest that CACNA1C is involved in the genetic architecture of endophenotypes for affective disorders and schizophrenia, and that it shows a distinct sex-specific effect.
Recent genetic association studies have identified the A-allele of rs1006737 within CACNA1C as a risk factor for schizophrenia as well as mood disorders.