Gene TPH
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Also known as
TPH1, TPRH, TRPHOverview
TPH1 (tryptophan hydroxylase 1) is a gene that codes for the TPH1 enzyme, which is responsible for the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin from tryptophan. The TPH1 enzyme converts tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) which is then converted to serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating various physiological processes such as mood, appetite, sleep, and behavior. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to various psychiatric and neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
TPH1 is primarily expressed in the pineal gland and the enteric nervous system. TPH1 is responsible for the production of serotonin that is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythm.
Variations in the TPH1 gene have been associated with an increased risk of certain psychiatric and neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Studies have suggested that the TPH1 enzyme may be a potential therapeutic target for the development of new treatments for these disorders.
It is worth mentioning that some antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells.