Epigenetic and post-transcriptional dysregulation of gene expression in schizophrenia and related disease

Abstract

Cortical and subcortical dysfunction in schizophrenia includes altered expression of RNA and proteins involved in neurotransmission, metabolism, myelination and other functions. The molecular mechanisms underlying this type of alteration remain largely unknown. Here, we summarize findings from postmortem brain studies and argue that transcriptional dysregulation, including changes in DNA and histone modifications involved in epigenetic control of gene expression, as well as microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional mechanisms contribute to the neurobiology of schizophrenia.