Regulation of cortical and peripheral GCH1 expression and biopterin levels in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄) is an essential cofactor for dopamine, serotonin and nitric oxide synthesis. Deficits of plasma total biopterin (a measure of BH₄) have been described in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. GCH1 encodes the first and rate-limiting enzyme in BH₄ synthesis. Peripheral GCH1 expression is lower in first episode psychosis patients versus controls, and we hypothesized that a GCH1 promoter polymorphism associated with psychiatric illness, contributes to regulation of both GCH1 expression and BH₄ levels. We tested this hypothesis in 120 subjects (85 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 35 controls): Patients with the rs10137071 A allele had significantly lower plasma biopterin than GG patients and

SUBMITTER: Clelland JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5866784 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature