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Glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta isoforms are not mutated in bipolar affective disorder

Molecular Psychiatry volume 5, pages 196–202 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The periodically hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in bipolar affective disorders, as well as the reported changes in the binding characteristics of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), suggest the possible involvement of the GR in the aetiopathology of this disease. This was investigated by screening the coding sequences of both GR isoforms, GRα and GRβ, for the presence of mutations. As a genetic predisposition has been implicated, we included in this study bipolar patients who were siblings. By RT-PCR of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients suffering from bipolar illness, using primers spanning the whole length of the GRα and GRβ coding region and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis, heteroduplex and sequence analyses, no GR mutations could be detected. Since glucocorticoid receptor activity can be modulated by agents other than the respective ligand (eg by growth factors, cytokines and stress signals), our results favor derangements in the modulation of GR activity by such agents and not in the primary structure of the receptor as aetiopathologic factors of bipolar disease.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grant ‘PENED’ No. 70/3/2807 of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Ministry of Development, Greece.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Str, GR-115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece

    P Moutsatsou, A Tsolakidou, C Troungos & C E Sekeris

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 74 Vas Sofias Ave, Athens, Greece

    G Trikkas

  3. Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas Constantinou Avenue, Athens, GR-116 35, Greece

    C E Sekeris

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  1. P Moutsatsou
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Correspondence to P Moutsatsou.

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Moutsatsou, P., Tsolakidou, A., Trikkas, G. et al. Glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta isoforms are not mutated in bipolar affective disorder. Mol Psychiatry 5, 196–202 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000646

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