Overview:

PDE4B is a member of the phosphodiesterase family of proteins that play a critical role in regulating intracellular levels of cAMP and has homology to the 'dunce' gene of Drosophila. The 'dunce' gene is one of several genes critical for normal learning and memory in the fly. Altered activity of PDE4B has been associated with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. DISC1 interacts with the UCR2 domain of PDE4B and elevation of cellular cAMP leads to dissociation of PDE4B from DISC1 and in increase in PDE4B activity (1). PDE4B gene itself does not link to major depressive disorder (MDD) but elevated mRNA levels of PDE4B have been implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD (2).

Gene Aliases:

DPDE4; PDE4B5; PDEIVB; MGC126529; DKFZp686F2182

Genbank Number:

NM_002600

References:

1. Millar J K, et al: DISC1 and PDE4B are interacting genetic factors in schizophrenia that regulate cAMP signaling. Science 310: 1187-1191, 2005.

2. Numata S, et al: Gene expression and association analyses of the phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) gene in major depressive disorder in the Japanese population. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2009 Jun 5;150B(4):527-34.