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Evaluation Expression of the Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 Apoptotic Genes in Schizophrenia Patients
Ebubekir Dirican1, Halil Özcan2, Sevgi Karabulut Uzunçakmak1
1Health Services Vocational School, Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkey.
Objective:
Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs by several pathways. Caspase-3 is induced by active caspase-9 via the intrinsic pathway. The aim of this research was to explore the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in schizophrenia patients and healthy samples.
Methods:
RNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 39 schizophrenia patients' and healthy samples. After cDNA synthesis, real time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyse caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression. The severity of psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI).
Results:
The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes was higher in schizophrenia patients than in healthy samples (p = 0.012, p = 0.002, respectively). The increase in caspase-3 gene expression was significant with being male, smoking and with a duration of less than 6 years (p = 0.047, p = 0.049, p = 0.034, respectively). On the other hand, the increase in caspase-9 gene expression was significant in patients who is smoke, have children, and are under 33 years old (p = 0.040, p = 0.043, p = 0.045, respectively). A significant positive correlation was detected between the caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression (r = 0.3218, p = 0.049).
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression may activate cell death mechanisms by intrinsic apoptotic genes. Furthermore, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may play essential roles in different ways in schizophrenia. Hence there is a need to further study the apoptotic mechanism with expanded patient populations.
Insights
Schizophrenia patients show higher caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression, linked to programmed cell death pathways. These findings suggest apoptosis plays a role in schizophrenia, warranting further investigation in larger populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for cellular homeostasis and occurs via multiple pathways.
- Caspase-3 is a key executioner caspase, typically activated by caspase-9 through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential gene expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls.
- To explore potential correlations between caspase gene expression and clinical characteristics of schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was performed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) on peripheral blood RNA from 39 schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals.
- Clinical severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI).
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated gene expression levels of both caspase-3 (p=0.012) and caspase-9 (p=0.002) were observed in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls.
- Increased caspase-3 expression correlated with male gender, smoking status, and disease duration under 6 years. Increased caspase-9 expression correlated with smoking, having children, and age under 33.
- A significant positive correlation was found between caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression (r=0.3218, p=0.049).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that elevated caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression in schizophrenia may indicate activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
- Caspase-3 and caspase-9 appear to play distinct roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to elucidate the precise involvement of apoptotic mechanisms in schizophrenia.
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