5-HT(2C) receptor (5HT(2C)R, serotonin-2C)
RNA undergoes editing to produce several receptor variants, some with pharmacological differences. This investigation comprised two parts: the characterisation of 5-HT(2C)R RNA editing in a larger human control sample than previously examined, and a comparative study in subjects with
schizophrenia. Secondary structure analysis of the putative edited region of the human 5-HT(2C)R gene predicted the existence of a double stranded (ds)
RNA loop, essential for RNA editing in this receptor.
RNA was then extracted from frontal cortex of five controls and five subjects with
schizophrenia. RT-PCR products of the edited region were cloned and sequenced (n = 100). Reduced RNA editing, increased expression of the unedited 5-HT(2C-INI)
isoform in
schizophrenia (P = 0.001) and decreased expression of the 5-HT(2C-VSV) and 5-HT(2C-VNV)
isoforms were detected in the
schizophrenia group. In addition, two novel
mRNA edited variants were identified: 5-HT(2C-MNI) and 5-HT(2C-VDI). Screening of the 5-HT(2C)R gene did not reveal any mutations likely to disrupt the dsRNA loop, suggesting that the reduced RNA editing in
schizophrenia may instead be caused by altered activity of the editing
enzyme(s). Since the unedited 5-HT(2C-INI) is more efficiently coupled to
G proteins than the other
isoforms, its increased expression in
schizophrenia may lead to enhanced 5-HT(2C)R-mediated effects. The results also illustrate that potentially important receptor alterations may occur in
schizophrenia which are not detectable merely in terms of receptor abundance.