Publications by authors named "Rinako Tanaka"
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious psychiatric disorders and is characterized by reductions in both brain volume and spine density in the frontal cortex. RhoA belongs to the RAS homolog (Rho) family and plays critical roles in neuronal development and structural plasticity via Rho-kinase. RhoA activity is regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Copy-number variations in the ARHGAP10 gene are linked to schizophrenia, and specific mouse models with mutations in this gene demonstrate symptoms similar to those observed in human patients, such as cognitive dysfunction and changes in brain structure.
- The study investigates the effects of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on these mouse models, revealing that it reduces abnormal brain changes and improves cognitive performance after methamphetamine exposure.
- Overall, the findings highlight the potential role of Rho-kinase in the neurological and cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia linked to ARHGAP10 mutations.
Current antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia have associated problems, including serious side effects and treatment resistance. We recently identified a significant association of schizophrenia with exonic copy number variations in the Rho GTPase activating protein 10 (ARHGAP10) gene using genome-wide analysis. ARHGAP10 encodes a RhoGAP superfamily member that is involved in small GTPase signaling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF