New Research Reveals Protein's Crucial Role in Schizophrenia Development

Recent scientific studies have shed light on the significance of a specific protein, hnRNP A1, in the formation and stability of myelin—the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers—in the brain. Published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, this research highlights how alterations in hnRNP A1 may influence neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and mental health disorders like schizophrenia.

Myelin, a fatty substance produced by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, acts as an insulator for nerve fibers, facilitating rapid and efficient transmission of electrical signals. Demyelination—loss or damage of myelin—is a hallmark in diseases like multiple sclerosis and is also observed in individuals with schizophrenia, leading to impaired brain communication.

This groundbreaking study utilized a rodent model to explore how changes in proteins essential for myelin production impact brain function. Researchers focused on hnRNP A1, a protein that regulates messenger RNA processing, influencing the production of various crucial proteins. Prior investigations had already linked hnRNP A1 to brain tissue from people with schizophrenia and cellular studies.

First author Caroline Brandão-Teles explained that the team manipulated hnRNP A1 activity to observe its effects on myelination. They discovered that disrupting this protein led to decreased myelin-related proteins, impairing the myelin sheath formation. Interestingly, when myelin was experimentally restored, differences in animal behavior—such as memory and social interactions—normalizing. This suggests that molecular changes precede behavioral symptoms, possibly serving as early biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Professor Daniel Martins-de-Souza emphasized that these findings deepen our understanding of schizophrenia's molecular underpinnings. The research also points to the potential of targeting hnRNP A1 and related pathways to develop treatments that could prevent or reverse demyelination in psychiatric disorders.

Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the global population, including an estimated 1.6 million people in Brazil. While its primary symptoms include psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairments, the underlying causes have remained elusive. This new research underscores the importance of molecular and cellular factors, particularly those involved in myelin stability, as key contributors.

Overall, these findings open new avenues for investigating therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring myelin integrity in schizophrenia and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-role-protein-play-key-schizophrenia.html