Interactions between genetic and environmental factors and schizophrenia: Insights from KPNA1-deficient mice

The interactions between genetic and environmental factors (G x E interactions) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The administration of phencyclidine, a psychotropic drug, to Kpna1-deficient mice induces behavioral abnormalities resembling schizophrenia. In the nucleus accumbens of these mice, the expressions of dopamine receptors, an RNA editing enzyme, and cytoplasmic dynein demonstrate gene-environment interaction-dependent alterations. Kpna1-deficient mice may be useful as a gene-environment interaction model for schizophrenia and provide insights into its pathogenesis. Further, changes in gene expression in the nucleus accumbens may be involved in the development of schizophrenia.