Transient expression analysis of allelic variants of a VNTR in the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 10-repeat allele of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) has been associated with a range of psychiatric phenotypes, most notably attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The mechanism for this association is not yet understood, although several lines of evidence implicate variation in gene expression. In this study we have characterised the genomic structure of the 9- and 10-repeat VNTR alleles, and directly examined the role of the polymorphism in mediating gene expression by measuring comparative in vitro cellular expression using a reporter-gene assay system.

Results

Differences in the sequence of the 9- and 10- repeat alleles were confirmed but no polymorphic differences

SUBMITTER: Mill J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC549191 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature