Evaluation of mRNA expression level of the ATP synthase membrane subunit c locus 1 () gene in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious, complex mental disorder. The impairment of oxidative phosphorylation has a detrimental consequence on CNS function. Different ATP synthase subunits have been involved in the pathological process of various neurodegenerative disorders. Our goal was to evaluate the mRNA expression level of the ATP synthase membrane subunit c locus 1 ( also named ) gene in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Determination of the expression levels of in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were performed by real-time PCR in 90 controls and 90 patients with schizophrenia.

Results: Patients had significantly decreased mRNA expression levels in both plasma and PBMCs compared to controls. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to detect a cut-off value of expression in plasma and PBMCs. The relative expression in PBMCs had better performance with a cut-off value ≤ 21 (AUC = 0.892, P < 0.001), sensitivity of 94.44%, and specificity of 72.22% in discriminating between schizophrenic patients. expression in PBMCs was an independent predictor in schizophrenia.

Conclusion: This study revealed a down-regulation of expression in schizophrenia, precisely expression in PBMCs. That might give insight into the role of gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.