Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C β1 gene deletion in bipolar disorder affected patient.

The involvement of phosphoinositides (PI) signal transduction pathway and related molecules, such as the Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes, in the pathophysiology of mood disorders is corroborated by a number of recent evidences. Our previous works identified the deletion of PLCB1 gene, which codifies for the PI-PLC β1 enzyme, in 4 out 15 patients affected with schizophrenia, and no deletion both in major depression affected patients and in normal controls. By using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization methodology, we analyzed PLCB1 in paraffin embedded samples of orbito-frontal cortex of 15 patients affected with bipolar disorder.

Expression of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C enzymes in normal endometrium and in endometriosis.

Objective: To delineate the panel of expression of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) signaling enzymes in normal endometrium and in endometriosis.

Design: Clinical/experimental study.

Setting: University.

Deletion of PLCB1 gene in schizophrenia-affected patients.

A prevalence of 1% in the general population and approximately 50% concordance rate in monozygotic twins was reported for schizophrenia, suggesting that genetic predisposition affecting neurodevelopmental processes might combine with environmental risk factors. A multitude of pathways seems to be involved in the aetiology and/or pathogenesis of schizophrenia, including dopaminergic, serotoninergic, muscarinic and glutamatergic signalling. The phosphoinositide signal transduction system and related phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes seem to represent a point of convergence in these networking pathways during the development of selected brain regions.

Molecular cytogenetic interphase analysis of Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C β1 gene in paraffin-embedded brain samples of major depression patients.

Mood disorders represent a major medical need, as their chronic treatments are not effective in all patients. Literature data suggested that phosphoinositides (PI) signal transduction pathway and related molecules such as the Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes, might be involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders, including major depression. By using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization methodology, we analyzed PLCB1 gene, which codifies for the PI-PLC β1 enzyme, in paraffin embedded samples of orbito-frontal cortex of 15 patients affected with major depression and in 15 normal controls.