Decreased mRNA expression for the two subunits of system xc−, SLC3A2 and SLC7A11, in WBC in patients with schizophrenia: Evidence in support of the hypo-glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia

This is the first study indicating that the peripheral mRNA expression levels of SLC7A11 and SLC3A2 may be lower in patients with schizophrenia than healthy individuals. The finding supports the hypo-glutamatergic neurotransmission hypothesis in schizophrenia. Whether mRNA expression of system xc− subunits genes, particularly SLC3A2, could serve as a potential biomarker of schizophrenia needs further studies.