Genomic discordance between monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia

Objective: Genomic DNA of monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia was analyzed to determine whether their genomes were truly identical. Method: The subjects were monozygotic male twins, one of whom had DSM-III-R schizphrenia, undifferentiated type. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes and was applied to restriction landmark genome scanning analysis, which was developed for a high-speed survey of restriction sites throughout a genome and measurement of their copy number in each locus. Results: After comparisons of patterns with approximately 2,000 spots, the authors detected at least two spots with autoradiographic intensities that obviously differed in the two twins. Conclusions: The discrepancies likely were generated either by differences in the methylation status at NotI sites between the twins or by submicroscopic changes occurring at NotI-flanking sites in one twin after (or simulataneous with) twinning. In either case, the difference may influence the transcription level of one or more genes.