Polysialic acid (
polySia, PSA) is a unique and functionally important
glycan, particularly in vertebrate brains. It is involved in higher brain functions such as learning, memory, and social behaviors. Recently, an association between several genetic variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of
ST8SIA2/STX, one of two polysialyltransferase genes in vertebrates, and
psychiatric disorders, such as
schizophrenia (SZ),
bipolar disorder (BD), and
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), was reported based on candidate gene approaches and genome-wide studies among normal and
mental disorder patients. It is of critical importance to determine if the reported mutations and SNPs in
ST8SIA2 lead to impairments of the structure and function of
polySia, which is the final product of
ST8SIA2. To date, however, only a few such forward-directed studies have been conducted. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying
polySia-involved brain functions remain unknown, although
polySia was shown to have an anti-adhesive effect. In this report, we review the relationships between
psychiatric disorders and
polySia and/or
ST8SIA2, and describe a new function of
polySia as a regulator of neurologically active molecules, such as
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) and
dopamine, which are deeply involved in
psychiatric disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "
Glycans in personalised medicine" Guest Editor: Professor Gordan Lauc.