Expression of sncRNA related to Schizophrenia in the Sperm of an Experimental Model - SHR - for This Disorder.

• Grant number: 18/01473-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Taiza Stumpp Teixeira
• Grantee: Taiza Stumpp Teixeira
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: João Bosco Pesquero ; Vanessa Costhek Abílio

Abstract

The transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has been an issue of great interest recently, including those regarding schizophrenia (SCZ). Besides the genetic predisposition, epigenetic aspects seem to be involved in this psychiatric disorder. Studies have been showing, for example, that miRNA expression is altered in post mortem brains of SCZ patients. In experimental models for stress, the expression of miRNA is altered and some of these alterations can be transmitted to the next generations through the sperm. However, no information about the expression of miRNA or other sncRNA in the sperm of SCZ individuals is available. Thus, the aim of this study is to look at the expression of sncRNAs related to SCZ in the sperm of rat model for these disorder and, in the future, carry on studies about the epigenetic inheritance of SCZ. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which are described as a model for SCZ, will be used. At 100 days post partum the rats will be submitted to euthanasia and the sperm will be collected. Possible alterations in the expression of sncRNAs, including piRNAs, will be addressed by NGS. (AU)