Phospholipase C-β1 Hypofunction in the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by various abnormal symptoms. Previous studies indicate decreased expression of phospholipase c-beta 1 (PLc-beta 1) in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. PLC-beta 1 -null (PLC-beta 1) mice exhibit multiple endophenotypes of schizophrenia. Furthermore, a study of PLC beta 1 knockdown in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice has shown a specific behavioral deficit, impaired working memory. These results support the notion that disruption of PLC-beta 1-linked signaling in the brain is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this review, we broadly investigate recent studies regarding schizophrenia-related behaviors as well as their various clinical and biological correlates in PLC-beta 1- and knockdown mouse models. This will provide a better understanding of the pathological relevance of the altered expression of PLC p1 in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Evidence accumulated will shed light on future in-depth studies, possibly in human subjects.