# Expression Study of NDUFS1, NDUFV1, and NDUFV2 in Schizophrenia and Paranoid Personality Disorder: Role of Mitochondrial Complex I in SCZ and PPD

## TL;DR

This study found that certain mitochondrial genes are overexpressed in schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder, linking them to symptom severity and personality traits.

## Contribution

The study identifies altered expression of mitochondrial complex I genes in SCZ and PPD, linking them to clinical and personality traits for the first time.

## Key findings

- NDUFS1, NDUFV1, and NDUFV2 are significantly overexpressed in SCZ and PPD patients compared to controls.
- These genes correlate with positive psychiatric symptoms and neuroticism in both disorders.
- The findings suggest bioenergetic dysfunction may contribute to psychotic behaviors in psychiatric conditions.

## Abstract

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a major psychiatric disorder with unclear etiology and
biological diagnosis. Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a type-A
personality disorder characterized by paranoia and generalized mistrust. The
etiology and molecular mechanisms of SCZ and PPD are not clarified. The
present study aimed to examine the expression alteration of three major
genes of mitochondrial complex I in the peripheral blood of patients with
SCZ and PPD, and its correlations with clinical features of patients,
especially the five major personality traits.

This case-control study was performed on 735 SCZ, 742 PPD, and 750
non-psychiatric individuals. The mRNAs level of NDUFS1, NDUFV1, and NDUFV2
were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and
their correlations with psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the positive
and negative syndrome scale and the brief psychiatric rating scale tests, as
well as personality traits that were evaluated by NEO Five-Factor Inventory.

Findings showed significant overexpression of NDUFS1, NDUFV1, and NDUFV2 in
patients with SCZ (P=0.001, P=0.002, and P=0.004, respectively) and PPD
(P=0.001, P=0.003, and P=0.006, respectively) compared with
non-psychiatrists. In addition, these genes were associated with positive
psychiatric symptoms and neuroticism in SCZ (P=0.008) and PPD (P=0.01).

Overexpression genes that encode subunits of complex I play an important role
in SCZ and PPD etiology and severity of symptoms. It may bring evidence
about the significant role of bioenergetics dysfunction in psychotic
behaviors in different psychiatric situations.