The world's first wiki where authorship really matters (Nature Genetics, 2008). Due credit and reputation for authors. Imagine a global collaborative knowledge base for original thoughts. Search thousands of articles and collaborate with scientists around the globe.

wikigene or wiki gene protein drug chemical gene disease author authorship tracking collaborative publishing evolutionary knowledge reputation system wiki2.0 global collaboration genes proteins drugs chemicals diseases compound
Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 

The dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) variable number of tandem repeats domain enhances transcription in dopamine neurons.

The dopamine (DAT) and serotonin (SERT) transporter genes both contain variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in non-coding gene regions which have been correlated with a predisposition to a variety of CNS disorders. There is considerable homology between individual DAT and SERT repeat DNA sequences, which is reflected in their ability to compete with each other for specific protein binding as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The SERT VNTR has recently been shown to act as a transcriptional enhancer. Because of the similarities between SERT and DAT VNTRs, the DAT VNTR may also enhance transcription. This study demonstrates by lipid transfection into an immortalized dopaminergic cell line and biolistic transfection into dopamine neurons in neonatal rat midbrain slices that the human nine-repeat DAT VNTR can enhance transcription. This enhancing activity suggests that the DAT VNTR may play a role in regulation of DAT gene expression.[1]

References

  1. The dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) variable number of tandem repeats domain enhances transcription in dopamine neurons. Michelhaugh, S.K., Fiskerstrand, C., Lovejoy, E., Bannon, M.J., Quinn, J.P. J. Neurochem. (2001) [Pubmed]
 
WikiGenes - Universities