Because antipsychotic drugs selectively block dopamine receptors and since dopamine D4 receptors are elevated sixfold in postmortem schizophrenia brain, we searched for possible abnormalities in the coding region of the genomic DNA sequence for the dopamine D4 receptor in control and schizophrenia tissues. The DNA sequence for the first 250 bases of exon 3 of this receptor was examined in the genomic DNA from 296 control individuals and 58 schizophrenics. Twenty-three out of 183 control blacks (12.6%) and 3 out of 24 (12.5%) schizophrenic blacks revealed a replacement of T by G, predicting a substitution of valine by glycine at amino acid position 194. The identical prevalence of 12.5% indicates that the variant is not associated with schizophrenia. The amino acid replacement occurs one amino acid away from a serine amino acid which is critical for the attachment of dopamine. None of the 147 Caucasians (113 controls; 34 schizophrenics) revealed this variant, termed D4GLYCINE194.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.1320540419DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

amino acid
16
dopamine receptor
8
dopamine receptors
8
genomic dna
8
dna sequence
8
dopamine
5
receptor variant
4
variant d4glycine194
4
d4glycine194 africans
4
africans caucasians
4

Similar Publications

L-carnitine protects against oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in cerebral cortex of rats submitted to chronic chemically-induced model of hyperphenylalaninemia.

Metab Brain Dis

January 2025

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, CEP 90610-000, RS, Brazil.

Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder characterized by high phenylalanine levels, the main toxic metabolite of the disease. Hyperphenylalaninemia can cause neurological impairment. In order to avoid this symptomatology, patients typically follow a phenylalanine-free diet supplemented with a synthetic formula that provides essential amino acids, including L-carnitine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review aimed to explore the impact of extrusion on Andean grains, such as quinoa, kañiwa, and kiwicha, highlighting their macromolecular transformations, technological innovations, and contributions to food security. These grains, which are rich in starch, high-quality proteins, and antioxidant compounds, are versatile raw materials for extrusion, a continuous and efficient process that combines high temperatures and pressures to transform structural and chemical components. Extrusion improves the digestibility of proteins and starches, encourages the formation of amylose-lipid complexes, and increases the solubility of dietary fiber.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

IL-7 secreted by keratinocytes induces melanogenesis via c-kit/MAPK signaling pathway in Melan-a melanocytes.

Arch Dermatol Res

January 2025

Department of Genetics & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Youngin, 17104, Republic of Korea.

Abnormal melanin synthesis within melanocytes can result in pigmentary skin disorders. Although pigmentation alterations associated with inflammation are frequently observed, the precise reason for this clinical observation is still unknown. More specifically, although many cytokines are known to be critical for inflammatory skin processes, it is unclear how they affect epidermal melanocyte function.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Metabolomics provide a promising tool for understanding dementia pathogenesis and identifying novel biomarkers. This study aimed to identify amino acid biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Vascular Dementia (VD). By amino acid metabolomics, the concentrations of amino acids were determined in the serum of AD and VD patients as well as age-matched healthy controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to investigate the role of transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3) secreted by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in suppressing melanin synthesis during the wound healing process, particularly in burn injuries, and to explore the underlying mechanisms involving the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. ADSCs were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and characterized using flow cytometry and differentiation assays. A burn injury model was established in mice, followed by UVB irradiation to induce hyperpigmentation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!