Gene DAOA
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Also known as
G72, SG72, LG72, D-amino acid oxidase activatorOverview
DAOA (D-Amino Acid Oxidase Activator) encodes a protein that modulates the activity of D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), an enzyme that degrades D-serine. D-serine is a co-agonist at NMDA glutamate receptors, which are critical for learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. By regulating DAO activity, DAOA indirectly affects NMDA receptor function.DAOA has been extensively studied as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene, with variants associated with increased risk across multiple populations. The gene has also been linked to bipolar disorder and major depression. The glutamate/NMDA hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that reduced NMDA receptor function contributes to symptoms, making DAOA a biologically plausible risk factor.
Understanding your DAOA genetic status may provide insights into psychiatric disorder risk and glutamate signaling. This gene is part of the glutamatergic system that is increasingly targeted for development of novel psychiatric medications, including NMDA receptor modulators for treatment-resistant depression and schizophrenia.