Beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene variations and coping styles in twins.
We tested the hypothesis that the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (beta-2 AR) gene locus, with known effects on blood pressure regulation, is also involved in psychological coping styles. 166 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins and DZ twin parents were investigated. We found common genetic variance for the coping factor Emotional Coping and blood pressure. Using three microsatellites we found linkage between the beta-2 AR gene locus and the coping factor Active Coping. Using allele-specific PCR of all the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene causing amino acid substitutions we identified associations between the +491 G/A SNP and various coping factors. We conclude that the beta-2 AR gene is relevant to coping. These preliminary findings suggest a molecular genetic underpinning of the relationship between psychological and physiological phenotypes important to cardiovascular risk.
Busjahn
Andreas
A
HealthTwiSt, Wiltberg Strasse 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany. busjahn@healthtwist.de
Freier
Kristina
K
Faulhaber
Hans-Dieter
HD
Li
Guo Hua
GH
Rosenthal
Magda
M
Jordan
Jens
J
Hoehe
Margret R
MR
Timmermann
Bernd
B
Luft
Friedrich C
FC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005858:Germany; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*
D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2