Analysis of DRD1 gene expression pattern in patients with glaucoma

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is a term used to describe a group of diseases that progressively weaken the optic nerve and cause vision loss and eventually blindness. Glaucoma is one of the most common and controversial eye diseases. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the eye, regulates ciliary blood flow and aqueous humour production, which affects intraocular pressure and glaucoma. Based on previous studies on dopamine receptor ligands, it was concluded that the effect of dopamine on fluid production is stimulated by dopamine receptor 1 (D1) activation. Expression and translation of the DRD1 gene cause the production of the D1 receptor. Based on this, it was hypothesized that changes in DRD1 gene expression may play a role in the development of glaucoma. The aim of this study was to analyze DRD1 gene expression in patients with glaucoma. Materials and Methods: In this study, a statistical population of 40 people including 20 patients and 20 healthy individuals was used to analyze the effect of DRD1 gene expression on patients with glaucoma. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) technique was used and its data were analyzed by SPSS software and Mann-Whitney statistical method. Results: The results of this study indicate a significant difference (P = 0.015) in the expression of the DRD1 gene in patients with glaucoma compared to the control group.

Keywords

• glaucoma
• dopamine receptor d1a
• gene expression
• receptors
• dopamine
• real-time polymerase chain reaction