Comparative genome hybridization suggests a role for NRXN1 and APBA2 in schizophrenia

Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Feb 1;17(3):458-65. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddm323. Epub 2007 Nov 6.

Abstract

Copy number variations (CNVs) account for a substantial proportion of human genomic variation, and have been shown to cause neurodevelopmental disorders. We sought to determine the relevance of CNVs to the aetiology of schizophrenia (SZ). Whole-genome, high-resolution, tiling path BAC array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) was employed to test DNA from 93 individuals with DSM-IV SZ. Common DNA copy number changes that are unlikely to be directly pathogenic in SZ were filtered out by comparison to a reference dataset of 372 control individuals analyzed in our laboratory, and a screen against the Database of Genomic Variants. The remaining aberrations were validated with Affymetrix 250K SNP arrays or 244K Agilent oligo-arrays and tested for inheritance from the parents. A total of 13 aberrations satisfied our criteria. Two of them are very likely to be pathogenic. The first one is a deletion at 2p16.3 that was present in an affected sibling and disrupts NRXN1. The second one is a de novo duplication at 15q13.1 spanning APBA2. The proteins of these two genes interact directly and play a role in synaptic development and function. Both genes have been affected by CNVs in patients with autism and mental retardation, but neither has been previously implicated in SZ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autistic Disorder / genetics
  • Cadherins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage
  • Genetic Variation
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neuropeptides / genetics*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Schizophrenia / etiology
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*

Substances

  • APBA2 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • neurexophilin