No significant changes in complexin 1, VGAT, complexin 2, VGluT1, dysbindin, NAV2, or VAMP1 mRNA expression were found; however, expression of mRNAs associated with plasticity/cytoskeletal modification (GAP43 and NAV1) was reduced in schizophrenia.
The VGluT1 mRNA/VGAT mRNA ratio was unchanged in schizophrenia, as was the ratio of complexin 2 mRNA to complexin 1 mRNA (related to synaptic vesicle fusion in excitatory and inhibitory terminals, respectively).
Our data may be important for a better understanding of the contribution of reduced VGLUT1-mediated presynaptic glutamatergic neurotransmission in the generation of several behavioural abnormalities associated with schizophrenia.
To test this hypothesis, we examined protein expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 1-3 and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and 2 in subjects with schizophrenia (n=23) and a comparison group (n=27).