Investigation of the expression of comt gene in exosomes by quantitative real time PCR in schizophrenic patients and control groups

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in expression of COMT gene in exosomes between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Material and Methods: In our study, 8 patients who were diagnosed as chronic schizophrenia and treated at the Psychiatry Clinic of Hafsa Sultan Hospital, Manisa Celal Bayar University, consisted the patient group. 8 healthy volunteers who didn't have a family history of chronic schizophrenia consisted the control group. The expression of COMT gene in exosomes was investigated by RT-PCR technique. The results of the analysis were evaluated using 2-∆∆CT method. Results: According to the results of our study, it was determined that COMT gene expression levels were significant up regulation in our patients 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Conclusions: In our study, quantitative Real time PCR method was used to determine the expression of COMT gene in exosomes in patients with schizophrenia and control groups without schizophrenia. Our results may indicate that the expression level of the COMT gene may play an important role in up regulation. Key words: Schizophrenia, COMT, Exosome, RNA