Schizophrenia with the 22q11.2 deletion and additional genetic defects: case history

Br J Psychiatry. 2011 Sep;199(3):245-6. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.093849.

Abstract

The 22q11.2 deletion is the most prominent known genetic risk factor for schizophrenia, but its penetrance is at most approximately 50% suggesting that additional risk factors are required for disease progression. We examined a woman with schizophrenia with this deletion for such risk factors. She had high plasma pentosidine levels ('carbonyl stress') and a frameshift mutation in the responsible gene, GLO1. She also had a constant exotropia, so we examined the PHOX2B gene associated with both schizophrenia and strabismus, and detected a 5-alanine deletion. We propose that the combination of these genetic defects may have exceeded the threshold for the manifestation of schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / blood
  • Chromosome Deletion*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / genetics
  • DiGeorge Syndrome / complications
  • DiGeorge Syndrome / genetics*
  • Exotropia / complications
  • Exotropia / genetics
  • Female
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / genetics
  • Lysine / analogs & derivatives
  • Lysine / blood
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NBPhox protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • Arginine
  • pentosidine
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase
  • Lysine