A functional single nucleotide polymorphism (V158M) in the COMT gene is associated with aggressive personality traits.
BACKGROUND
Suicidal behavior is often correlated with other-directed aggression, which is partially mediated by catecholaminergic neurotransmission. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme involved in catecholamine inactivation. In this study, we examined the influence of a functional COMT (V158M) polymorphism on suicidal behavior and anger-related traits.


METHODS
This polymorphism was examined in 149 German suicide attempters and 328 German control subjects. Both groups were administered self-report questionnaires for anger-related traits.


RESULTS
There was no overall difference in allele/genotype frequency between patients and control subjects; however, the low-activity L-allele and genotype frequencies were higher among violent suicide attempters. For anger-related traits, a multivariate effect of the COMT genotype was observed after controlling for age and educational level. LL-carriers expressed their anger more outwardly, whereas HH-carriers expressed it more inwardly and reported more state anger, as assessed by the self-report questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the hypothesis that the functional polymorphism in the COMT gene may modify the phenotype of suicide attempts and anger-related traits. This, however, being a novel finding, should warrant further investigation.
Rujescu
Dan
D
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Giegling
Ina
I
Gietl
Anton
A
Hartmann
Annette M
AM
Möller
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression; D000483:Alleles; D000786:Anger; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014633:Valine / Q000235:genetics
D008715:Methionine; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D014633:Valine