Mutation screening and association study of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2 gene in schizophrenia families.

Chromosome 22q12 is one of the most promising regions for harboring a risk gene for schizophrenia. We have reported significant linkage of intermediate phenotypes for schizophrenia with markers within or near the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2 (ADRBK2, or GRK3) gene, which is highly expressed in dopaminergic pathways in the central nervous system, and mediates homologous desensitization for a variety of neurotransmitters and hormones through phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). A polymorphism in the promoter region of the ADRBK2 was reported to be associated with bipolar disorder.