Gene GAD2
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Also known as
GAD65, glutamate decarboxylase 2Overview
GAD2 (Glutamate Decarboxylase 2) encodes the enzyme GAD65, which together with GAD67 (encoded by GAD1) catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to GABA, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. While GAD67 is responsible for baseline GABA synthesis, GAD65 is particularly important for GABA production during periods of high synaptic activity and is concentrated in nerve terminals.GAD65 is a major autoantigen in type 1 diabetes, with anti-GAD65 antibodies present in most patients at diagnosis. These antibodies are also found in stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition characterized by muscle rigidity and spasms. Variants in GAD2 have been studied for associations with anxiety, epilepsy, and metabolic traits including obesity and insulin secretion.
Understanding your GAD2 genetic status provides insights into GABA signaling capacity and may be relevant for understanding anxiety and stress responses. Combined with GAD1 status, this information helps characterize the genetic influences on inhibitory neurotransmission.