D-amino acid oxidase activator (DAOA)

D-amino acid oxidase activator (DAOA, also known as G72) is a small protein expressed mostly in the brain, spinal cord, and testis[4]. DAOA physically interacts with D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), an enzyme responsible for degrading D-amino acids like D-serine—a co-agonist at the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor[1][2][4]. Through this interaction, DAOA can regulate DAO activity and thus indirectly affect NMDA receptor function. The precise impact of DAOA on DAO remains controversial, with some studies indicating DAOA increases DAO activity while others suggest it decreases or has no effect, depending on cell type, assay conditions, and possibly DAOA isoform[1][2]. DAOA genetic variants have been recurrently linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, making it a molecule of interest in neuropsychiatric research[3][4]. However, its molecular mechanism, cellular localization, and potential as a drug target remain incompletely understood and are complicated by conflicting data and tight regulation in human tissues[1][2].

Other names

G72LG72SG72Protein G72DAOAG72 transcriptD-amino acid oxidase regulatorschizophrenia- and bipolar disorder-associated protein G72

Modulates the activity of D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), thereby influencing the breakdown of D-serine and affecting NMDA receptor signaling