Convergent and Parallel Protein Aggregation Patterns in Major Mental Illnesses

Ayshsa Hobbs^*
*Correspondence: Ayshsa Hobbs, Department of Biotechnology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia, Email:

Keywords

Protein aggregation • Major mental illnesses • Schizophrenia • Bipolar disorder • Major depressive disorder • Convergent patterns • Neurodegeneration

Introduction

The intricate nature of major mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, has spurred ongoing research into their underlying biological mechanisms. A relatively recent avenue of exploration involves the aggregation of specific proteins, a hallmark feature of various neurodegenerative disorders. This phenomenon has captured the attention of researchers in the field, as accumulating evidence suggests that protein aggregation may also play a role in the pathophysiology of major mental illnesses. Moreover, the intriguing concept of convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns has emerged, suggesting shared molecular pathways and interconnections across these disorders. This review aims to delve into this emerging area of research, providing insights into the convergence and parallelism of protein aggregation patterns in major mental illnesses. By investigating these patterns, we can gain a deeper understanding of the potential shared mechanisms underlying these disorders and their implications for therapeutic intervention [1].

Literature Review

Protein aggregation, a hallmark of various neurodegenerative disorders, has recently gained attention in major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. This literature review explores the emerging concept of convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns across these mental illnesses, aiming to unravel potential shared mechanisms and their implications for understanding disease pathophysiology and identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Convergent patterns: Distinct major mental illnesses, despite their diverse clinical presentations, appear to share commonalities in terms of aggregated protein profiles. In schizophrenia, accumulating evidence suggests the aggregation of certain proteins, including Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and dysbindin. Strikingly, similar protein aggregation has been observed in bipolar disorder, underscoring the convergence of molecular pathways. This convergence hints at shared etiological factors and molecular interactions that could play a role in disease progression [2].

Parallel patterns: While convergent patterns emphasize shared proteins, parallel aggregation patterns highlight the occurrence of protein aggregation within the same molecular pathways across different mental illnesses. For instance, the Wnt signalling pathway is implicated in protein aggregation in schizophrenia, while studies suggest its involvement in mood regulation in bipolar disorder. This parallel aggregation underscores the interconnectedness of pathways that contribute to the complex pathophysiology of major mental illnesses [3].

Molecular pathways and neurodegeneration: Investigating convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns has revealed potential links between protein misfolding and neurodegenerative processes in major mental illnesses. Aggregated proteins can disrupt synaptic function, impair cellular homeostasis and trigger neuroinflammation. These mechanisms contribute to neuronal dysfunction and loss observed in various mental disorders, bridging the gap between protein aggregation and clinical symptoms [4].

Therapeutic implications: Understanding convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns offers exciting prospects for identifying novel therapeutic targets. Targeting specific proteins or pathways implicated in aggregation could potentially modulate disease progression. Additionally, interventions aimed at mitigating neurodegenerative processes induced by protein aggregation might offer innovative approaches for treating major mental illnesses.

Discussion

Convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns in major mental illnesses represent intriguing areas of research that explore the potential overlap and commonalities in the pathological processes underlying different psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Convergent protein aggregation patterns refer to the phenomenon where distinct psychiatric conditions exhibit similar abnormal protein aggregation or misfolding in specific brain regions. For example, some studies have suggested that certain proteins, like tau and amyloid-beta, which are traditionally associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, may also accumulate abnormally in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This convergence raises questions about potential shared mechanisms or vulnerabilities in these mental illnesses [5].

Parallel protein aggregation patterns, on the other hand, indicate that multiple psychiatric disorders can independently exhibit protein aggregation in similar brain regions. For instance, both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder might show abnormal protein accumulation in the prefrontal cortex or hippocampus, even though they are distinct diagnostic entities. This parallelism suggests that certain brain regions may be more susceptible to protein aggregation, regardless of the specific psychiatric diagnosis. Understanding these convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns is essential for unravelling the complex neurobiology of mental illnesses. It may help researchers identify common molecular pathways that contribute to these disorders and potentially lead to the development of more targeted treatments. However, it's important to note that this field of research is still emerging, and further investigations are needed to establish the precise relationships between protein aggregation and mental illnesses and to develop therapeutic interventions based on these findings [6].

Conclusion

The exploration of convergent and parallel protein aggregation patterns in major mental illnesses represents a significant stride in understanding their complex pathophysiology. The shared occurrence of specific aggregated proteins and molecular pathways across different disorders suggests potential common mechanisms underlying their etiology. This insight not only enhances our comprehension of major mental illnesses but also offers avenues for novel therapeutic interventions. By targeting shared protein aggregation processes or the downstream neurodegenerative consequences, researchers may unveil innovative strategies to address the underlying biological aspects of these disorders. As studies continue to decipher the intricate relationships between protein aggregation patterns, neurodegeneration and clinical manifestations, the potential for more effective and targeted treatments becomes increasingly promising, ushering in a new era of precision medicine for major mental illnesses.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest by author.

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