Direct binding of ZNF804a to its promoter region also positively regulated the expression level of PRSS16. PRSS16 encodes a serine protease located on chromosome 6 near the major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I region of the genome. A SNP in this region of the genome (6p22.1) reached genome-wide association for SZ [15], [16]. Expression of this gene is most abundantly observed in the thymus, however expression is found in other tissues including brain [17]. PRSS16 is an interesting gene because of its role in immune function. Immune function is thought to be important in the etiology of SZ as prenatal influenza increases risk of SZ [18]. However, the function of PRSS16 during brain development is unknown.
