glutamate decarboxylase

Introduction

Catalyzes the decarboxylation of glutamate into the neurotransmitter GABA (4-aminobutanoate).

Pathology

• autoantigens in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; GAD2 may be primarily involved
• GAD autoantibodies have been detected years before the clinical onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Laboratory

• glutamate decarboxylase antibody in serum/plasma
  • glutamate decarboxylase 65 antibody in serum for autoantibodies associated with diabetes mellitus type 1

More general terms

• carboxy-lyase or decarboxylase

More specific terms

• glutamate decarboxylase 1 (glutamate decarboxylase 67 kD isoform, GAD1, GAD67)
• glutamate decarboxylase 2; glutamate decarboxylase 65 kD isoform (GAD2, GAD65)
• glutamate decarboxylase 3 (GAD3)

Additional terms

• glutamate decarboxylase antibody in serum/plasma