Asymmetrical changes in the fodrin α subunit in the superior temporal cortices in schizophrenia

Background: We examined possible abnormalities in neural structural proteins that may underlie morphometric changes reported in the left superior temporal cortices (Brodmannʹs area 22) of schizophrenics. Methods: Particulate proteins of the superior temporal cortices taken at autopsy from 11 schizophrenic and 9 control brains were fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Target proteins, identified by reading their amino acid sequences, were immunoquantified using the specific antibody. Results: Amino acid sequences of the 150-kDa proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which were significantly increased on the left side of schizophrenic superior temporal cortices, revealed that they were proteolytic fragments of the α subunit of fodrin, a major cytoskeletal protein underlying the plasma membrane. Immunoquantification using the specific antibodies against α and β subunits of fodrin indicated that there exist concomitant decreases in the full-length 240-kDa form and increases in the 150-kDa, form of α fodrin with no changes of the 235-kDa form of β-fodrin in the left superior temporal cortices of the schizophrenic brains. Conclusions: The findings may be a possible molecular basis for linking morphometric changes to neurochemical pathophysiology in schizophrenia.