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Brain RGS4 and RGS10 protein expression in schizophrenia and depression. Effect of drug treatment
G Rivero1, A M Gabilondo, J A García-Sevilla
1Department of Pharmacology, BioCruces Health Research Institute, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Psychopharmacology
|October 25, 2012
Summary
Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins RGS4 and RGS10 levels were unchanged in schizophrenia and depression. However, antipsychotic treatment appeared to increase RGS4 levels in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins, specifically RGS4 and RGS10, are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
- Genetic studies have linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RGS4 to schizophrenia.
- Subcellular distribution data for RGS4 and RGS10 in psychiatric disorders remain limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the subcellular distribution of RGS4 and RGS10 proteins in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia and major depression.
- To examine the impact of antipsychotic and antidepressant treatments on RGS4 and RGS10 protein levels.
- To compare protein expression in patient groups with matched control subjects.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis was used to quantify plasma membrane RGS4 and cytosolic RGS10 protein immunoreactivity.
- Postmortem prefrontal cortex tissue samples were obtained from subjects with schizophrenia (n=25), non-diagnosed suicides (n=13), control subjects (n=35), and depressed subjects (n=25).
- The study also assessed the effects of antipsychotic and antidepressant treatments on protein levels.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in plasma membrane RGS4 or cytosolic RGS10 protein expression were found between schizophrenic subjects, non-diagnosed suicides, and control subjects.
- RGS4 immunoreactivity was significantly elevated by 33% in antipsychotic-treated subjects compared to antipsychotic-free subjects (p<0.05).
- Plasma membrane RGS4 and cytosolic RGS10 protein levels did not differ between depressed subjects and their matched controls.
Conclusions:
- The expression of RGS4 and RGS10 proteins at their primary subcellular locations is unaltered in the postmortem brains of individuals with schizophrenia and major depression.
- Antipsychotic treatment may lead to an increase in membrane RGS4 immunoreactivity.
- Further research is necessary to fully understand the functional roles of RGS4 and RGS10 in psychiatric disorders.
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