Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
Published on: September 3, 2014
Proteomic and genomic evidence implicates the postsynaptic density in schizophrenia.
M Föcking1, L M Lopez1, J A English1
1Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
This study identified over 140 differentially expressed proteins in the postsynaptic density (PSD) of schizophrenia patients, highlighting roles for endocytosis and NMDA-interacting proteins in disease pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Proteomics
- Psychiatric Genetics
Background:
- The postsynaptic density (PSD) is crucial for synaptic function and implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with a poorly understood molecular basis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed proteins within the PSD in schizophrenia.
- To investigate the association of PSD proteins with genetic data in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Shotgun proteomics with label-free quantitation on PSDs from schizophrenia and control brain samples (anterior cingulate cortex).
- Pathway and gene-set enrichment analyses.
- Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified 143 differentially expressed proteins in schizophrenia PSDs.
- Found altered expression of proteins involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor interactions.
- HIST1H1E and MAPK3 showed significant association in large GWAS datasets, and the PSD proteome was enriched.
Conclusions:
- PSD-associated proteins and genes are robustly implicated in schizophrenia.
- NMDA-interacting and endocytosis-related proteins within the PSD contribute to schizophrenia pathophysiology.
More Related Videos
05:14Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
09:07Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...