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Protein key to depression diagnostic test

Researchers have discovered that a change in location of a protein in the brain could serve as a biomarker for depression, a finding they hope will allow a simple laboratory test to identify patients with the disorder.

The team, from the University of Illinois, hope the discovery could help millions who suffer from undiagnosed depression or receive unsuccessful treatment.

"This test could serve to predict the efficacy of antidepressant therapy quickly, within four to five days, sparing patients the agony of waiting a month or more to find out if they are on the correct therapeutic regimen," said Mark Rasenick, Professor of physiology, biophysics and psychiatry.

They discovered that in depressed individuals a signalling protein is located in specific areas of the cell membrane called lipid rafts. This protein - called Gs alpha - activates adenylyl cyclase, a link in signal transduction, and is responsible for the action of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

"These 'rafts' are thick, viscous, almost gluey areas, that either facilitate or impede communication between membrane molecules," Rasenick said. "When Gs alpha is caught in these lipid raft domains, its ability to couple with and activate adenylyl cyclase is markedly reduced. Antidepressants help to move the Gs alpha out of these rafts and facilitate the action of certain neurotransmitters."

This new study shows that in depressed humans, Gs alpha protein is confined in lipid rafts, where it is less likely to mediate the action of neurotransmitters, and that antidepressants have the opposite effect.

Explaining the use of possible diagnostic tests based on the findings, Rasenick said: "In simple language - we may be able to tell you if you are depressed and more importantly, whether you are responding to the chosen antidepressant therapy."

The research is published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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