Evidence that duplications of 22q11.2 protect against schizophrenia.

A number of large, rare copy number variants (CNVs) are deleterious for neurodevelopmental disorders, but large, rare, protective CNVs have not been reported for such phenotypes. Here we show in a CNV analysis of 47 005 individuals, the largest CNV analysis of schizophrenia to date, that large duplications (1.5-3.0 Mb) at 22q11.2--the reciprocal of the well-known, risk-inducing deletion of this locus--are substantially less common in schizophrenia cases than in the general population (0.014% vs 0.085%, OR=0.17, P=0.00086). 22q11.2 duplications represent the first putative protective mutation for schizophrenia.

Transcriptome sequencing study implicates immune-related genes differentially expressed in schizophrenia: new data and a meta-analysis.

We undertook an RNA sequencing (RNAseq)-based transcriptomic profiling study on lymphoblastoid cell lines of a European ancestry sample of 529 schizophrenia cases and 660 controls, and found 1058 genes to be differentially expressed by affection status. These differentially expressed genes were enriched for involvement in immunity, especially the 697 genes with higher expression in cases. Comparing the current RNAseq transcriptomic profiling to our previous findings in an array-based study of 268 schizophrenia cases and 446 controls showed a highly significant positive correlation over all genes. Fifteen (18%) of the 84 genes with significant (false discovery rate<0.05) expression differences between cases and controls in the previous study and analyzed here again were differentially expressed by affection status here at a genome-wide significance level (Bonferroni P<0.05 adjusted for 8141 analyzed genes in total, or P<~6.1 × 10-6), all with the same direction of effect, thus providing corroborative evidence despite each sample of fully independent subjects being studied by different technological approaches. Meta-analysis of the RNAseq and array data sets (797 cases and 1106 controls) showed 169 additional genes (besides those found in the primary RNAseq-based analysis) to be differentially expressed, and provided further evidence of immune gene enrichment. In addition to strengthening our previous array-based gene expression differences in schizophrenia cases versus controls and providing transcriptomic support for some genes implicated by other approaches for schizophrenia, our study detected new genes differentially expressed in schizophrenia. We highlight RNAseq-based differential expression of various genes involved in neurodevelopment and/or neuronal function, and discuss caveats of the approach.

Studies on the special properties of actomyosin in the gel form. I. Unusual features of the Mg2+-ATPase activity.

The hydrolysis of MgATP by actomyosin gel at low ionic strength is known to show two unusual features: (1) an Arrhenius plot with a shallow slope in the higher temperature range (35-16 degrees C) and a steep slope in the lower temperature range (16-0 degrees C); (2) a rate curve of hydrolysis that begins with a 'burst' and falls to a lower steady-state level. Both of these can now be interpreted in terms of a specific, relatively slow transformation in the gel (t 1/2 = 9 s at 25 degrees C), induced by the binding of MgATP to the active sites of the myosin filaments. In the rate curves, this transformation is reflected in the transition from the burst rate (catalyzed by the original gel) to the steady-state rate (catalyzed by the modified gel). Importantly, this transition does not occur to a significant extent at low temperatures. Thus, in the typical nonlinear Arrhenius plot, where steady-state rates are used, the shallow slope in the high temperature range is a property of the modified gel, whereas the steep slope at low temperatures is a property of the original gel. Consistent with this interpretation, when the burst rates (presumably due to the original gel) were used in the high temperature range (and when substrate inhibition of hydrolysis by high levels of MgATP was avoided), the Arrhenius plot was linear over the entire temperature range (40-0 degrees C); the steep slope of this plot gives a high apparent heat of activation (25-30 kcal), similar to that reported for actin-activated hydrolysis by the soluble subfragment, heavy meromyosin. It is the steady-state form of the gel at high temperatures that gives a low apparent heat of activation (6-10 kcal). It was found that the regulatory proteins with calcium activate hydrolysis by the original form but have no effect on the steady-state form of the gel. Oxygen exchange measurements made during the burst and steady state at 25 degrees C indicate that the mechanism of hydrolysis is essentially the same for both, but that there is a higher effective actin concentration around the myosin sites in the original form.

Studies on the special properties of actomyosin in the gel form. II. An analysis of the turbidity changes seen in gel suspensions.

The turbidity changes induced by MgATP in suspensions of actomyosin gel particles have been studied systematically over a wide range of MgATP concentrations at different temperatures with and without the regulatory proteins. An analysis of these changes distinguishes three separate protein-protein interactions in the gel: (1) The transient cyclic interactions between actin and myosin involved in the hydrolysis of MgATP and contraction. (2) Cross-links that cause turbidity in the original suspension. (3) Cross-links that cause the high turbidity usually associated with superprecipitation. In general, there was a good correlation between the half-time for reaching maximum turbidity during superprecipitation and the rate of hydrolysis. On the other hand, the actual magnitude of the turbidity increase was progressively diminished as the concentration of substrate was raised in the millimolar range. It appears that some essential phase of the superprecipitation process is limited by the same enzymatic step that limits the rate of hydrolysis. However, whether or not this phase leads to an increase in turbidity depends on the concentration of MgATP. Apparently, high physiological levels of MgATP (1-5 mM) inhibit the formation of the specific cross-links that cause high turbidity in the superprecipitate. It is proposed that MgATP interferes with these links when it can bind to a low-affinity site on myosin that is separate from the high-affinity active sites for hydrolysis. Thus, in contracting muscle, interfilament interactions analogous to those that increase turbidity and cause isodimensional shrinkage in the gel would be prevented by the high level of MgATP in the sarcoplasm. Observations relating the shortening of isolated myofibrils to their turbidity in suspension lend support to this interpretation.

Effect of agarose variability on the measurement of lysozyme activity.

Lysozyme assays are often performed by a diffusion technique utilizing agarose gels impregnated with substrate organisms (lysoplates), but the results differ greatly from those obtained with spectrophotometric or immunologic techniques. We have investigated the effect of agarose composition on the lysoplate assay utilizing 10 different gels varying in ionic parameters. Standard curves generated with purified human lysozyme solutions were parallel, but the diameters of the zones of lysis varied inversely with gel sulfate content. The different agaroses had variable effects on determinations of normal serum lysozyme, and the results obtained on any given gel agreed with neither those found on other gels nor with independent assay in another system. The lysoplate assay should be utilized only in those laboratories that can obtain uniform agarose preparations and extensively calibrate normal ranges for their gels.

Cicatricial pemphigoid. A case of onset at age 5.

Cicatricial pemphigoid is a chronic subepidermal bullous dermatosis which primarily involves the mucous membranes. It is a disease found almost exclusively middle-aged and elderly persons. This report describes a case of cicatricial pemphigoid with onset at age 5 and involving primarily the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. The patient cleared well on 40 mg of Prednisone and has been maintained on a regimen of 7.5 mg of Prednisone every other day.

Effect of oxygen-derived free radicals on hyaluronic acid.

To investigate possible mechanisms of hyaluronic acid depolymerization, superoxide anion and other secondary oxygen-derived free radicals were generated in vitro and allowed to act upon a hyaluronate substrate. Superoxide, generated either enzymatically with xanthine oxidase or by stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, reduced the viscosity of hyaluronate solutions dramatically while the chromatographic profiles of the glycosaminoglycan shifted toward lower molecular weights. Superoxide-treated hyaluronate also became susceptible to further degradation by beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase A. Experiments with scavengers of various toxic oxygen-derived free radicals clearly implicated these reactants as mediators of hyaluronate depolymerization. Generation of superoxide by leukocytes in vivo may account for the loss of synovial fluid viscosity that accompanies inflammatory joint disease.

Inhibition of collagen gelation by action of the superoxide radical.

Superoxide anion, a highly reactive free radical, was generated in vitro using enriched purified xanthine oxidase. Collagen solutions exposed to superoxide radical failed to gel normally when heated to 37 degrees C. The magnitude of the inhibition of gelation was propotional to duration of exposure and to flux of superoxide. Since inhibition of collagen gelation reflects alteration of collagen biochemistry, and/or collagen degradation, it is suggested that the action of free radicals produced in vivo by leukocytes may adversely affect the structural or functional integrity of cartilage and adjacent joint structures.