#lrrtm1

[psyfacts]

Source:

Ravilious, Kate. “Gene for Left-Handed Trait Discovered.” National Geographic. August 1, 2007. Accessed: June 29, 2011.

[leftyisalwaysrighty]

LRRTM1

Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal protein 1 (LRRTM1), is protein that in humans is encoded by the LRRTM1 gene.[1][2]

LRRTM1 is the first gene linked to increased odds of being left-handed.[3] Possessing one particular variant of the LRRTM1 gene slightly raises the risk of psychotic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia[3]

As the name implies, its protein product is a transmembrane protein, which contains many leucine rich repeats, that is present in neurons. It is expressed during the development of specific forebrain structures and shows a variable pattern of maternal downregulation (genomic imprinting).[2]