NRGN

Neurogranin (NRGN) is the human homolog of the neuron-specific rat RC3/neurogranin gene. This gene encodes a postsynaptic protein kinase substrate that binds calmodulin in the absence of calcium. The NRGN gene contains four exons and three introns. The exons 1 and 2 encode the protein and exons 3 and 4 contain untranslated sequences. It is suggested that the NRGN is a direct target for thyroid hormone in human brain, and that control of expression of this gene could underlay many of the consequences of hypothyroidism on mental states during development as well as in adult subjects.