Epigenetic aspects in schizophrenia etiology and pathogenesis

Epidemiological evidence suggests that etiology of schizophrenia may involve both the influence of genetic factors specific for the individual and the impact of the environment. It is quite likely that a crucial role in the disease development is played by molecular mechanisms mediating the interaction between genes and environment. Modern research have shown that epigenetic mechanisms or chemical modifications of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and histone proteins remain unstable throughout life and can be changed by environmental factors. Thus the epigenetic mechanisms outline an attractive molecular hypothesis of the environment modelling role and the environmental contribution to schizophrenia progression. We give in the present study a general outline of schizophrenia as a pathological entity and discuss the role and involvement of environment versus genetic determinant (nature versus nurture) in the pathophysiolgical processes. Additionally, we focus on DNA methylation discussing the evidence for the role of that process in schizophrenia. Thirdly, we review the post-translational histone modifications and their role in schizophrenia. These investigations might surely lead further to the development of epigenetic therapy that looks promising in regard to symptom alleviation and the disease-associated cognitive deficit.