LACK OF IMPRINTING OF THE HUMAN DOPAMINE D4 RECEPTOR (DRD4) GENE

The term genomic imprinting has been used to refer to the differential expression of genetic material depending on whether it has come from the male or female parent. In humans, the chromosomal region 11p15.5 h as been shown to contain 2 imprinted genes (H19 and IGF2). The gene fo r the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4), which is of great interest for rese arch into neuropsychiatric disorders and psychopharmacology, is also l ocated in this area. In the present study, we have examined the imprin ting status of the DRD4 gene in brain tissue of an epileptic patient w ho was heterozygous for a 12 bp repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of the D RD4 gene. We show that both alleles are expressed in equivalent amount s, We therefore conclude that the DRD4 gene is not imprinted in the hu man brain. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.