Prior studies have found decreased mRNA expression of oligodendrocyte-associated genes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of patients with schizophrenia. However, it is unclear which specific genes are affected
and whether the changes occur in the cortical white or grey matter. We assessed the mRNA expression levels of four oligodendrocyte-related genes: myelin-associated basic protein (MOBP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP)
and oligodendrocyte-lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) in DLPFC white
and grey matter using quantitative-PCR (
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70 controls
and ![]()
30 patients with schizophrenia). We also examined the effects of high-risk polymorphisms in CNP
and OLIG2 on mRNA levels of these genes. We found that genetic polymorphisms in CNP (rs2070106)
and OLIG2 (rs1059004
and rs9653711), previously associated with schizophrenia, predicted low expression of these genes. Expression of MAG, CNP
and OLIG2 did not differ between patients with schizophrenia
and controls in the grey or white matter but MOBP mRNA levels were increased in the DLPFC white matter in patients with a history of substance abuse. MOBP
and CNP protein in the white matter was not altered. Although previously reported reductions in the expression of myelin-related genes in the DLPFC were not detected, we show that individuals carrying risk-associated alleles in oligodendrocyte-related genes had relatively lower transcript levels. These data illustrate the importance of genetic background in gene expression studies in schizophrenia.