Mechanistic studies of the phytochromobilin synthase HY2 from Arabidopsis.

Phytochromobilin (PPhiB) is an open chain tetrapyrrole molecule that functions as the chromophore of light-sensing phytochromes in plants. Derived from heme, PPhiB is synthesized through an open chain tetrapyrrole intermediate, biliverdin IXalpha (BV), in the biosynthesis pathway. BV is subsequently reduced by the PPhiB synthase HY2 in plants.

Glutamate decarboxylase genes and alcoholism in Han Taiwanese men.

Objective: Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), may be involved in the development of alcoholism. This study examined the possible roles of the genes that code for 2 forms of GAD (GAD1 and GAD2) in the development of alcoholism.

Method: An association study was conducted among 140 male alcoholic subjects meeting the DSM-III-R criteria for alcohol dependence and 146 controls recruited from the Han Taiwanese in community and clinical settings.