The schizophrenia risk locus in SLC39A8 alters brain metal transport and plasma glycosylation

Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 4;10(1):13162. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70108-9.

Abstract

A common missense variant in SLC39A8 is convincingly associated with schizophrenia and several additional phenotypes. Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in SLC39A8 result in undetectable serum manganese (Mn) and a Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG) due to the exquisite sensitivity of glycosyltransferases to Mn concentration. Here, we identified several Mn-related changes in human carriers of the common SLC39A8 missense allele. Analysis of structural brain MRI scans showed a dose-dependent change in the ratio of T2w to T1w signal in several regions. Comprehensive trace element analysis confirmed a specific reduction of only serum Mn, and plasma protein N-glycome profiling revealed reduced complexity and branching. N-glycome profiling from two individuals with SLC39A8-CDG showed similar but more severe alterations in branching that improved with Mn supplementation, suggesting that the common variant exists on a spectrum of hypofunction with potential for reversibility. Characterizing the functional impact of this variant will enhance our understanding of schizophrenia pathogenesis and identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Loss of Function Mutation
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Manganese / blood
  • Manganese / metabolism*
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Polysaccharides / blood
  • Schizophrenia / diagnostic imaging
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Polysaccharides
  • SLC39A8 protein, human
  • Manganese