INCREASED EXPRESSION OF C-FOS IN POSTMORTEM CEREBELLAR VERMIS FROM PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

In spite of the increasing number of studies linking the immediate early genes (IEGs) to important brain functions such as development, neuronal plasticity, learning and memory, the role of Fos family of transcription factors in various neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia is still poorly understood. Previously, in postmortem cerebellar vermis from schizophrenic patients, we demonstrated increased protein levels of several transcription factors (Elk-1, CREB, and ATF-2) within the promoter region of c-Fos gene. To further clarify the possible involvement of Fos family of transcription factors in schizophrenia, in the present study we determined the expression of c-Fos, FosB, Fra1, and Fra2 in the postmortem cerebellar vermis of schizophrenic patients and control subjects. The results indicated significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of c-Fos in schizophrenic brain. In contrast, there were no significant differences in FosB, Fra1 and Fra2 mRNA and protein levels in cerebellar vermis from patients with schizophrenia as compared to control subjects. Our data suggest the possible involvement of c-Fos in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia that can be target for future therapy.