DAOA - D-amino Acid Oxidase Activator

This gene encodes a protein that may function as an activator of D-amino acid oxidase, which degrades the gliotransmitter D-serine, a potent activator of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors. Studies also suggest that one encoded isoform may play a role in mitochondrial function and dendritic arborization. Polymorphisms in this gene have been implicated in susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]