NRG1 Gene

Increased neuregulin signaling in schizophrenia may suppress the NMDA receptor, leading to lowered glutamate levels.

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a growth factor that stimulates neuron development and differentiation. Originally identified as the proto-oncogene (tumor activator) Neu/ErbB2, NRG1 contains immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor-like domains. NRG1 interacts with cells through the Neu/ErbB2 receptor, which is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. Increased neuregulin signaling in schizophrenia may suppress the NMDA receptor, leading to lowered glutamate levels. NRG1 also regulates the postsynaptic density (PSD-95). Differential RNA splicing gives rise to a variety of isoforms that function as growth factors in different cell types. The beginning (5’ region) of the gene has been most implicated in schizophrenia; however no mutations have yet been identified in coding regions of the gene that are related to schizophrenia. In addition, a number of recent studies have identified NRG1 as a candidate gene for bipolar disorder.

gene, schizophrenia, schizophrenic, neuregulin 1, neuregulin1, nrg1, nrg 1, Neu/ErbB2, erbb2, neu, psd95, psd-95, epidermal, growth, factor, receptor

  • ID: 921
  • Source: DNALC.G2C

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