Asymmetrical changes in the fodrin alpha subunit in the superior temporal cortices in schizophrenia

Biol Psychiatry. 1998 Feb 15;43(4):254-62. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00032-2.

Abstract

Background: We examined possible abnormalities in neural structural proteins that may underlie morphometric changes reported in the left superior temporal cortices (Brodmann's area 22) of schizophrenics.

Methods: Particulate proteins of the superior temporal cortices taken at autopsy from 11 schizophrenic and 9 control brains were fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Target proteins, identified by reading their amino acid sequences, were immunoquantified using the specific antibody.

Results: Amino acid sequences of the 150-kDa proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which were significantly increased on the left side of schizophrenic superior temporal cortices, revealed that they were proteolytic fragments of the alpha subunit of fodrin, a major cytoskeletal protein underlying the plasma membrane. Immunoquantification using the specific antibodies against alpha and beta subunits of fodrin indicated that there exist concomitant decreases in the full-length 240-kDa form and increases in the 150-kDa form of alpha-fodrin with no changes of the 235-kDa form of beta-fodrin in the left superior temporal cortices of the schizophrenic brains.

Conclusions: The findings may be a possible molecular basis for linking morphometric changes to neurochemical pathophysiology in schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Entorhinal Cortex / metabolism
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • fodrin