Deletion of chromosome 22q11 microRNAs and schizophrenia

The research effort has focused on the mircroRNAs and the pathogenesis of schizophrenia induced by 22q11 deletion now. The 22q11 deletion, which contribut to mircoRNA-mediated dysregulation, is a genetic risk factor for schizophrenia. Primary candidate genes are DGCR8, which encodes a component of the microprocessor complex essential for microRNA biogenesis, and MIR185, which encodes microRNA 185. Mouse models of 22q11.2DS have demonstrated alterations in brain microRNA biogenesis, and that DGCR8 haploinsufficiency may contribute to these alterations, down regulation of a specific microRNA subset.miR-185 was the top-scoring down-regulated microRNA in both the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, brain areas which are the key foci of schizophrenia. In addition, MIR185 has two validated targets (RhoA, Cdc42), both of which have been associated with altered expression levels in schizophrenia .In this paper, literatures on deletion of chromosome 22q11 microRNAs and schizophrenia were reviewed. Key words: Schizophrenia; 22q11deletion; MicroRNA; DGCR8; MIR185; Genetic risk factor