Regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genetic studies have implicated disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) as a risk factor for a wide range of mental conditions, including schizophrenia. Because N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction has been strongly linked to the pathophysiology of these conditions, we examined whether the NMDAR is a potential target of DISC1.

Methods

DISC1 was knocked down with a small inference RNA. NMDAR-mediated currents were recorded and NMDAR expression was measured.

Results

We found that cellular knockdown of DISC1 significantly increased NMDAR currents in cortical cultures, which were accompanied by an increase in the expression of NMDAR subunit, GluN2A. NMDAR-mediated synaptic response in prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons was also increased by DISC1 k

SUBMITTER: Wei J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3864617 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature