Characterisation of messenger RNA extracted post-mortem from the brains of schizophrenic, depressed and control subjects.

Author(s): Perrett CW, Marchbanks RM, Whatley SA

Publication: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1988, Vol. 51, Page 325-31

PubMed ID: 2452240 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of PMI (3-84 h) on total and poly(A) RNA yield and in vitro translation products from caudate nucleus and frontal cortex specimens.

   Summary of Findings:

   PMI and subject age did not have a significant effect on total RNA yield or percentage of poly(A) RNA. There was a slight trend toward increasing yield with longer PMI, although statistical significance was not achieved due to high between subject variability. The authors attribute this high variability to differences in pre-mortem patient condition and possible specimen contamination with white matter during acquisition. No effect of increasing PMI was observed on the size distribution of poly(A) RNA or in the biological activity as judged by in vitro translation. The molecular weight distribution and banding patterns of in vitro translation products were similar between specimens regardless of PMI, but individual variations were observed. The authors conclude that there is no effect of PMI on total or poly(A) RNA yield or quality in the first 84 h postmortem, but more data is necessary to explore premortem factors.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Brain

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Autopsy
   • Depression
   • Schizophrenia
   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   RNA	Spectrophotometry
   RNA	Electrophoresis
   RNA	In vitro translation
   Protein	1D/2D gels

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Postmortem interval	3-84 h

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2. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of psychiatric illness (schizophrenia or depression versus control) on total and poly(A) RNA yield and in vitro translation products from postmortem caudate nucleus and frontal cortex specimens.

   Summary of Findings:

   When compared to control subjects, neither Schizophrenia nor depression had any effect on total or poly(A) RNA yield perhaps due to the high standard deviations (35-64% of mean). No differences in size distribution of poly(A) RNA were identified by electrophoresis to suggest differential degradation. In vitro translation rates of mRNA were highly variable between subjects (standard deviation of 32-61% of mean), and consequently, no significant differences were identified. Some quantitative differences in banding patterns of the translation products between schizophrenia and control specimens were observed, but none occurred in all specimens. The authors conclude that schizophrenia and depression do not appear to alter total or poly(A) yield or integrity but may alter levels of specific transcripts.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Brain

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Autopsy
   • Not specified
   • Schizophrenia
   • Depression

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   RNA	Spectrophotometry
   RNA	Electrophoresis
   RNA	In vitro translation
   Protein	1D/2D gels

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	Schizophrenia Depression Control

   View more