Author(s): Keiko Ikemoto, Katsuji Nishi and Akiyoshi Nishimura
Lectins are proteins which specifically bind (or crosslink) carbohydrates. Recent studies have shown the importance of glycosylation in pathogenesis of diseases. Lectin-positive spherical deposits (SPD), 3-10 micron in diameter, have been detected in the molecular layer of dentate gyrus of hippocampus in dementia, Down’s syndrome, and schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, SPD was observed without exception, regardless of having history of pharmacotherapy. Multi-labeling histochemical methods, revealed that single strand DNA was co-localized in hippocampal SPD of schizophrenia with lectin, including GSI-B4 for galactose, and UEA-I for fucose, suggesting that SPD formation in schizophrenia is related to apoptotic process. The molecular basis of SPD formation should detailly investigated in brains with neuropsychiatric illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
