Association of GSK-3β genetic variation with GSK-3β expression, prefrontal cortical thickness, prefrontal physiology, and schizophrenia

Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Aug;170(8):868-76. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12070908.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is an enzyme implicated in neurodevelopmental processes with a broad range of substrates mediating several canonical signaling pathways in the brain. The authors investigated the association of variation in the GSK-3β gene with a series of progressively more complex phenotypes of relevance to schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder with strong genetic risk. METHOD Based on computer predictions, the authors investigated in humans the association of GSK-3β functional variation with 1) GSK-3β mRNA expression from postmortem prefrontal cortex, 2) GSK-3β and β-catenin protein expression from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), 3) prefrontal imaging phenotypes, and 4) diagnosis of schizophrenia. RESULTS Consistent with predictions, the TT genotype of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in GSK-3β (rs12630592) was associated with reduced GSK-3β mRNA from postmortem prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, this genotype was associated with GSK-3β protein expression and kinase activity, as well as with downstream effects on β-catenin expression in PBMCs. Finally, the TT genotype was associated with attenuated functional MRI prefrontal activity, reduced prefrontal cortical thickness, and diagnosis of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that GSK-3β variation is implicated in multiple phenotypes relevant to schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / genetics*
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / genetics*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Prefrontal Cortex / pathology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Young Adult
  • beta Catenin / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • beta Catenin
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3