RESUMO
ADAM (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease)12 is a member of a family of integral membrane and secreted glycoproteins. ADAM12 has recently been detected in urine. In the present study we measured ADAM12 protein levels in urine from bipolar patients vs. healthy controls. Nineteen bipolar patients and 22 matched-control subjects were studied. Urine samples were concentrated and Western-blot analysis used to determine ADAM12 protein levels. The 92 kDa form of urine ADAM12 protein levels were highly elevated in Li-treated bipolar patients compared with normal controls. The 68 kDa form of urine ADAM12 protein levels did not differ. Future experiments are needed to explore a potential link between ADAM12 protein level elevation and lithium response.
Assuntos
Proteínas ADAM/urina , Antidepressivos/uso terapêutico , Transtorno Bipolar/tratamento farmacológico , Transtorno Bipolar/urina , Compostos de Lítio/uso terapêutico , Proteínas de Membrana/urina , Proteínas ADAM/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteína ADAM12 , Adulto , Western Blotting , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
In humans, GSK-3 beta activity is diminished in schizophrenic patients as is prepulse inhibition of the startle response (PPI). We performed a genetic correlational analysis between published PPI values and frontal cortex GSK-3 activity analyzed in our laboratory in 10 inbred mouse strains. This methodology could indicate relevant parameters for study in an animal model. Indeed, we obtained significant correlations between the enzyme's activity and PPI measured by two different methods. This may indicate that investigation of the genetics of GSK-3 beta regulation holds promise for understanding some of the biochemical underpinnings of schizophrenia.
