Zinc Finger, DHHC-Type Containing Protein 8 (ZDHHC8)

The 2,839-bp cDNA encoded a 595-amino acid deduced protein. The polymorphism showed differences in transmission distortion between sexes in individuals with schizophrenia. In a sample of 389 families from the U.S. and South Africa, they found that in females with schizophrenia the transmitted:untransmitted ratio was 82:43, whereas in males it was 106:108. Brain morphology of knockout mice seemed normal by gross and histologic evaluation.

Zdhhc8 knockout mice had a sexually dimorphic deficit in prepulse inhibition, a gene dosage-dependent decrease in exploratory activity in a new environment, and a decreased sensitivity to the locomotor stimulatory effects of the psychomimetic drug dizocilpine.