| First Author | Huang AS | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | J Neurosci | Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 10 | Pages | 2814-9 |
| PubMed ID | 16525061 | Mgi Jnum | J:106267 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3617951 | Doi | 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5060-05.2006 |
| Citation | Huang AS, et al. (2006) D-aspartate regulates melanocortin formation and function: behavioral alterations in D-aspartate oxidase-deficient mice. J Neurosci 26(10):2814-9 |
| abstractText | D-aspartate, an abundant D-amino acid enriched in neuroendocrine tissues, can be degraded by D-aspartate oxidase (Ddo). To elucidate the function of D-aspartate, we generated mice with targeted deletion of Ddo (Ddo(-/-)) and observe massive but selective augmentations of D-aspartate in various tissues. The pituitary intermediate lobe, normally devoid of D-aspartate from endogenous Ddo expression, manifests pronounced increases of immunoreactive D-aspartate in Ddo(-/-) mice. Ddo(-/-) mice show markedly diminished synthesis and levels of pituitary proopiomelanocortin/alpha-MSH, associated with decreased melanocortin-dependent behaviors. Therefore, Ddo is the endogenous enzyme that degrades D-aspartate, and Ddo-enriched organs, low in D-aspartate, may represent areas of high turnover where D-aspartate may be physiologically important. |
