Role of RNA-binding proteins in exercise-induced mRNA regulation: Unveiling biomarkers and therapeutic targets for schizophrenia.

Abstract

This article summarizes recent advances in the understanding of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), with a focus on their roles in exercise-induced mRNA regulation and their implications for schizophrenia (SZ). RBPs are critical regulators of mRNA stability, splicing, transport, translation, and degradation, directly influencing gene expression through sequence- and structure-specific binding. In the nervous system, RBPs sustain synaptic plasticity, neural development, and neuronal homeostasis. Emerging evidence shows that exercise modulates the expression and activity of RBPs, thereby influencing mRNA translation and neurotransmitter signaling, which may underlie its beneficial effects on brain function. Dysregulation of specific RBPs has been identified in SZ, implicating them in disrupted synaptic transmission, impaired plasticity, and neuroinflammation. RBPs involved in memory and emotional regulation show marked dysfunction in SZ patients. Some RBPs have been proposed as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Moreover, therapeutic modulation of RBPs, through pharmacological or behavioral interventions such as exercise, may restore neuronal function by targeting post-transcriptional gene regulation. Exercise, as a non-invasive modulator of RBP expression, holds promise as an adjunctive strategy in SZ treatment, particularly in early stages. Further research into RBP-mediated pathways may offer novel insights into SZ pathophysiology and inform the development of targeted interventions.