Clathrin Interactor 1 (CLINT1)

Clathrin interactor 1 is a protein binds to the terminal domain of the clathrin heavy chain and stimulates clathrin cage vesicle assembly. Clathrin coated vesicles enable neurotransmitter receptors and other proteins to be endocytosed or taken up across neuronal membranes and across the membranes of other types of cells. This enables a turnover of neuroreceptors or other proteins to be maintained and thus the numbers of receptors can be fine tuned. The CLINT1 gene has been shown to be involved in the genetic aetiology of schizophrenia in four studies  It is known that the antipsychotic drugs chlorpromazine and clozapine stabilise clathrin coated vesicles and this may be one reason why antipsychotic drugs are effective in treating delusions, auditory hallucinations and many of the other symptoms of schizophrenia.