Interactions between knockout of schizophrenia risk factor Dysbindin-1 and copper metabolism in mice

DTNBP1 gene variation and lower dysbindin-1 protein are associated with schizophrenia. Previous evidence suggests that downregulated dysbindin-1 expression results in lower expression of copper transporters ATP7A (intracellular copper transporter) and SLC31A1 (CTR1; extracellular copper transporter), which are required for copper transport across the blood brain barrier. However, whether antipsychotic medications used for schizophrenia treatment may modulate these systems is unclear.

The current study measured behavioral indices of neurological function in dysbindin-1 functional knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates with or without quetiapine treatment. We assessed serum and brain copper levels, ATP7A and CTR1 mRNA, and copper transporter-expressing cellular population transcripts: TTR (transthyretin; choroid plexus epithelial cells), MBP (myelin basic protein; oligodendrocytes), and GJA1 (gap-junction protein alpha-1; astrocytes) in cortex and hippocampus.

Regardless of genotype, quetiapine significantly reduced TTR, MBP, CTR1 mRNA, and serum copper levels. Neurological function of untreated KO mice was abnormal, and ledge instability was rescued with quetiapine. KO mice were hyperactive after 10 min in the open-field assay, which was not affected by treatment.

Dysbindin-1 KO results in hyperactivity, altered serum copper, and neurological impairment, the last of which is selectively rescued with quetiapine. Antipsychotic treatment modulates specific cellular populations, affecting myelin, the choroid plexus, and copper transport across the blood brain barrier. Together these results indicate the widespread impact of antipsychotic treatment, and that alteration of dysbindin-1 may be sufficient, but not necessary, for specific schizophrenia pathology.