FABP7
Encyclopedia
Fatty acid binding protein 7, brain (FABP7; also brain lipid binding protein, BLBP), is a human gene
.
FABP7 is expressed, during development, in radial glia
by the activation of Notch
receptors. Reelin
was shown to induce FABP7 expression in neural progenitor cell
s via Notch-1 activation.
According to one study, FABP7 binds DHA
with the highest affinity among all of the FABPs.
region corroborated by a meta-analysis.
As of 2008, two studies have been conducted into FABP7 as a possible risk gene for schizophrenia
, with one, that tested for only one SNP, showing negative and another, with seven SNPs, a positive result. The effect of the gene in the latter study was stronger in males. This study also linked FABP7 variation to weak prepulse inhibition
in mice; deficit in PPI is an endophenotypic
trait observed in schizophrenia patients and their relatives.
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
FABP7 is expressed, during development, in radial glia
Radial glia
Radial glial cells are a pivotal cell type in the developing central nervous system involved in key developmental processes, from patterning and neuronal migration to their recently discovered role as precursors during neurogenesis. They arise early in development from neuroepithelial cells...
by the activation of Notch
Notch
Notch may refer to:* The nock of an arrow* Notch , a Hip hop, R&B, reggae, dancehall and reggaeton artist* Notch signaling pathway, a cell signaling system present in most multicellular organisms...
receptors. Reelin
Reelin
Reelin is a large secreted extracellular matrix protein that helps regulate processes of neuronal migration and positioning in the developing brain by controlling cell–cell interactions. Besides this important role in early development, reelin continues to work in the adult brain. It modulates the...
was shown to induce FABP7 expression in neural progenitor cell
Progenitor cell
A progenitor cell is a biological cell that, like a stem cell, has a tendency to differentiate into a specific type of cell, but is already more specific than a stem cell and is pushed to differentiate into its "target" cell...
s via Notch-1 activation.
According to one study, FABP7 binds DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain and retina. In chemical structure, DHA is a carboxylic acid with a 22-carbon chain and six cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the third carbon from the omega end...
with the highest affinity among all of the FABPs.
Role in pathology
FABP7 maps onto human chromosome 6q22.31, a schizophrenia linkageGenetic linkage
Genetic linkage is the tendency of certain loci or alleles to be inherited together. Genetic loci that are physically close to one another on the same chromosome tend to stay together during meiosis, and are thus genetically linked.-Background:...
region corroborated by a meta-analysis.
As of 2008, two studies have been conducted into FABP7 as a possible risk gene for schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, with one, that tested for only one SNP, showing negative and another, with seven SNPs, a positive result. The effect of the gene in the latter study was stronger in males. This study also linked FABP7 variation to weak prepulse inhibition
Prepulse inhibition
Prepulse Inhibition is a neurological phenomenon in which a weaker prestimulus inhibits the reaction of an organism to a subsequent strong startling stimulus . The stimuli are usually acoustic, but tactile stimuli Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) is a neurological phenomenon in which a weaker...
in mice; deficit in PPI is an endophenotypic
Endophenotype
Endophenotype is a psychiatric concept and a special kind of biomarker. The purpose of the concept is to divide behavioral symptoms into more stable phenotypes with a clear genetic connection...
trait observed in schizophrenia patients and their relatives.
Further reading
External links
- Schizophrenia, Startled Response & Fabp7: Future Dietary Changes for At-Risk Mothers? Schizophrenia Daily News Blog, 2007-11-07
- Gross L (2007) A Candidate Gene for a Biological Marker of Schizophrenia in Mice. PLoS Biol 5(11): e320 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050320 - a synopsis for the general audience.