Rines that regulates MAO-A, a major brain protein controlling emotion and mood has been discovered by scientists. The enzyme is a potentially promising drug target for treating diseases associated with emotions such as depression. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, norephinephrine and dopamine, neurotransmitters well-known for their influence on emotion and mood. Nicknamed the "warrior gene", a variant of the MAOA gene has been associated with increased risk of violent and anti-social behavior.
While evidence points to a link between MAO-A levels and various emotional patterns, however, the mechanism controlling MAO-A levels in the brain has remained unknown.
Source-Eurekalert