Evaluation Expression of the Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 Apoptotic Genes in Schizophrenia Patients

Abstract

Objective: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs by several pathways. Caspase-3 is induced by active caspase-9 via the intrinsic pathway. The aim of this research was to explore the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in schizophrenia patients and healthy samples. Methods: RNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 39 schizophrenia patients' and healthy samples. After cDNA synthesis, real time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyse caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression. The severity of psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Results: The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes was higher in schizophrenia patients than in healthy samples (p = 0.012, p = 0.002, respectively). The increase in caspase-3 gene expression was significant with being male, smoking and with a duration of less than 6 years (p = 0.047, p = 0.049, p = 0.034, respectively). On the other hand, the increase in caspase-9 gene expression was significant in patients who is smoke, have children, and are under 33 years old (p = 0.040, p = 0.043, p = 0.045, respectively). A significant positive correlation was detected between the caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression (r = 0.3218, p = 0.049). Conclusion:Our findings indicate that caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression may activate cell death mechanisms by intrinsic apoptotic genes. Furthermore, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may play essential roles in different ways in schizophrenia. Hence there is a need to further study the apoptotic mechanism with expanded patient populations.

Investigation of the relationship between NFKB1 polymorphisms and telomere length and apoptosis in patients with type-2 diabetes

“…The Bio-Rad iScript kit was used to cDNA synthesis from RNA (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). The mix was prepared with 20 µl of 8 µl of RNA, 1 µl iScript reverse transcriptase, 4 µl 5x iScript reaction mix and 7 µl of nuclease-free water 23 . We performed the reaction as recommended by the manufacturer: priming: at 25°C for 5 minutes, reverse transcription at 46°C for 20 minutes, RT inactivation at 95°C for 1 minute, and hold at 4°C until storage at 20°C.…”

“…We utilized 3 μl of PCR grade water, 5 μl of cDNA, 1 μl of forward and reverse primers (300-500 nM), and 10 μl of TaqTM Universal SYBR Green Supermix (2X) (Bio-Rad) for the RT-PCR 23 . We used the previously primers for beta actin, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax and Bcl2 that have been used before 24,25 (Table 1).…”

“…Using the Bio-Rad CFX RT-PCR device, a PCR was performed at the conditions recommended by the manufacturer (25 seconds at 95°C for polymerase activation, 3 seconds at 95°C for denaturation, 20 seconds at 60°C for annealing, for 35-40 cycles) 23 . The relative mRNA expression was calculated using the 2 −ΔΔCt method.…”

Chronic administration of delta9‐tetrahydrocannabinol protects hyperinsulinemic gastric tissue in rats

“…Cell stress, DNA breaks, impairment of the cell cycle, or hypoxia initiate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. In the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, caspase‐9 (CAS‐9) activates CAS‐3 which is the executor of apoptotic death 18 . It has been reported that THC suppresses cell growth, and causes apoptosis in cancer cells 19 .…”

“…In the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, caspase-9 (CAS-9) activates CAS-3 which is the executor of apoptotic death. 18 It has been reported that THC suppresses cell growth, and causes apoptosis in cancer cells. 19 However, THC as a treatment is still controversial.…”