| Serotonin Transporter |
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| membrane biology | |
| neurotransmitter transporters | |
| integral membrane proteins | |
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Medical studies have shown that changes in serotonin transporter metabolism appear to be associated with many different phenomena, including Alcoholism , Clinical Depression , Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Romantic Love . PHARMACOLOGY Transporters are important sites for agents that treat Psychiatric Disorder s. Drugs that reduce the binding of serotonin to transporters ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor s, or SSRIs) are used to treat mental disorders. About half of patients with OCD are treated with SSRIs. Fluoxetine is an example of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor . GENETICS In Human s, the serotonin transporter is encoded by the human serotonin transporter gene ('''hSERT'''). Researchers have found an uncommon mutation in hSERT, in some unrelated families with OCD , that leads to faulty transporter function and regulation. A second variant in the same gene of some patients with this mutation suggests a genetic "double hit," resulting in greater biochemical effects and more severe symptoms. REFERENCES
- ''This article is adapted from the public domain NIMH press release at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/prmutationa.cfm '' |
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