The involvement of DARPP-32 in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one of the most devastating heterogeneous psychiatric disorders. The dopamine hypothesis is the longest standing pathoetiologic theory of schizophrenia based on neurochemical evidences of elevated brain striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and increased dopamine release in response to stress. Dopamine and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of relative molecular mass 32,000 (DARPP-32) is a cytosolic protein highly enriched in the medium spiny neurons of the neostriatum, considered as the most important integrator between the cortical input and the basal ganglia, and associated with motor control. Accumulating evidences has indicated the involvement of DARPP-32 in the development of schizophrenia; i. DARPP-32 phosphorylation is regulated by several neurotransmitters, including dopamine and glutamate, neurotransmitters implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis; ii. decrease of both total and phosphorylated DARPP-32 in the prefrontal cortex are observed in schizophrenic animal models; iii. postmortem brain studies indicated decreased expression of DARPP-32 protein in the superior temporal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with schizophrenia; iv. DARPP-32 phosphorylation is increased upon therapy with antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol and risperidone which improve behavioral performance in experimental animal models and patients; v. Genetic analysis of the gene coding for DARPP-32 propose an association with schizophrenia. Cumulatively, these findings implicate DARPP-32 protein in schizophrenia and propose it as a potential therapeutic target. Here, we summarize the possible roles of DARPP-32 during the development of schizophrenia and make some recommendations for future research. We propose that DARPP-32 and its interacting proteins may serve as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Excess hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides production underlies a schizophrenia pathophysiology

“…In addition, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis TM demonstrated significant enrichment of molecular pathways, e.g., glycolysis I, TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle II, and dopamine-DARPP32 feedback in cAMP signaling, for the downregulated genes (P < 0.05) ( Fig 8D and Appendix Table S14). This evidence is consistent with energy metabolism dysfunction (Zuccoli et al, 2017;Sullivan et al, 2019) and the involvement of deficits in DARP32 systems in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (Kunii et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2017;Zuccoli et al, 2017).…”

Towards a better understanding of the cannabinoid-related orphan receptors GPR3, GPR6, and GPR12

“…DARPP-32 and P-DARPP-32 are present in the striatum, especially in MSNs, where they are involved in neo-striatum signaling that affects locomotor behavior (Wang et al 2017). …”

Dysbindin-1 Involvement in the Etiology of Schizophrenia

“…Schizophrenia is an idiopathic mental illness occurring in 0.5–1% of the general population [ 1 ]. The clinical symptoms of this disorder include auditory hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, abnormal motor behavior, cognitive deficits and other behavioral symptoms [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…Schizophrenia is an idiopathic mental illness occurring in 0.5–1% of the general population [ 1 ]. The clinical symptoms of this disorder include auditory hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, abnormal motor behavior, cognitive deficits and other behavioral symptoms [ 1 , 2 ]. Schizophrenia-like symptoms also include negative symptoms, such as reduced response to daily and social activities (motivation), depressive-like emotion or diminished expression of pleasure [ 3 ].…”