nArgBP2-SAPAP-SHANK, the core postsynaptic triad associated with psychiatric disorders

Exp Mol Med. 2018 Apr 9;50(4):1-9. doi: 10.1038/s12276-017-0018-5.

Abstract

Despite the complex genetic architecture, a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders can still be caused by mutation(s) in the same gene. These disorders are interrelated with overlapping causative mechanisms including variations in the interaction among the risk-associated proteins that may give rise to the specific spectrum of each disorder. Additionally, multiple lines of evidence implicate an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity (E/I imbalance) as the shared key etiology. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying E/I imbalance provides essential insight into the etiology of these disorders. One important class of candidate risk genes is the postsynaptic scaffolding proteins, such as nArgBP2, SAPAP, and SHANK that regulate the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spines of excitatory synapses. This review will cover and discuss recent studies that examined how these proteins, especially nArgBP2, are associated with psychiatric disorders. Next, we propose a possibility that variations in the interaction among these proteins in a specific brain region might contribute to the onset of diverse phenotypes of psychiatric disorders.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • Mental Disorders / metabolism*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • SAP90-PSD95 Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • SAP90-PSD95 Associated Proteins
  • SHANK2 protein, human
  • SORBS2 protein, human