Identification of the 64K autoantigen in insulin-dependent diabetes as the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase.
The pancreatic islet beta-cell autoantigen of relative molecular mass 64,000 (64K), which is a major target of autoantibodies associated with the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) has been identified as glutamic acid decarboxylase, the biosynthesizing enzyme of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Pancreatic beta cells and a subpopulation of central nervous system neurons express high levels of this enzyme. Autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase with a higher titre and increased epitope recognition compared with those usually associated with IDDM are found in stiff-man syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by a high coincidence with IDDM.
Baekkeskov
S
S
Department of Microbiology, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine 94143.
Aanstoot
H J
HJ
Christgau
S
S
Reetz
A
A
Solimena
M
M
Cascalho
M
M
Folli
F
F
Richter-Olesen
H
H
De Camilli
P
P
Camilli
P D
PD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology*; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D013577:Syndrome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase