DISC1 Gene

Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia.

Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia.

Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is located at the breakpoint of a balanced translocation identified in a large Scottish family with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, and other major mental illnesses. The locus has been linked to schizophrenia in other populations as well. DISC1 encodes a multifunctional protein that influences neuronal development and adult brain function, including neurite architecture, neuronal migration, intracellular transport and synaptic transmission. It associates with cytoskeletal proteins involved in centrosome and microtubule function. DISC1 interacts with phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), which inactivates cyclic AMP, a second messenger implicated in learning, memory, and mood. Alternatively spliced isoforms have been identified. A systematic study of a representative sample of the general Scottish population was undertaken by Thomson and colleagues (2005). The authors identified a region of DISC1 that was significantly associated with bipolar disorder in women.