In conclusion, the present study suggested that the mTOR and FoxO signaling pathways may serve roles in the underlying mechanism of antidepressant effects of ketamine, and Plin4, Sgk1, Klf2 and Dcaf12l1 may be potential biomarkers for depression and targets for NMDA receptor antagonist treatment of depression. This evidence concerns the gene DCAF12L1 and major depressive disorder.