No abnormality in the gene for the G protein stimulatory α subunit in patients with bipolar disorder

Background: The available evidence for an involvement of the heterotrimeric guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) in bipolar disorder relies primarily on the effects of lithium salts on G protein function and on alterations in the concentration or function of G proteins (most notably G(s)-α) in peripheral leukocytes and in postmortem tissues of patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: The hypothesis that a mutation in G(s)-α gene confers an increased susceptibility to bipolar disorder was tested by the following strategies: (1) mutational screening of the G(s)-a subunit gene coding sequences and promoter sequences by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in unrelated individuals with bipolar disorder and (2) association and linkage analyses with a common silent exonic polymorphism, using genetic allelic information from American families with at least 1 affected child. For association analysis, the transmission test for linkage disequilibrium was used; for linkage analysis, non-parametric methods were used. Results: No structural or regulatory mutations in this gene were found in bipolar disorder; the results of association and genetic linkage were negative. Conclusion: Our results do not support the speculation that the G(s)-α protein gene has a role in the genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder.