title: A polymorphism in the serotonin receptor 3A (HTR3A) gene and its association with harm avoidance in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The brain neurotransmitter serotonin is known to affect various aspects of human behavior, including personality traits. Serotonin receptor type 3 is a ligand-gated channel encoded by 2 different subunit genes, HTR3A and HTR3B. A polymorphism (C178T) in the 5' region of the HTR3A gene has recently been identified and suggested to be of functional importance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the possible association between the C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene and personality traits in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent samples of 35- to 45-year-old Swedish women were recruited using the population register. Sample 1 (n = 195) was assessed via the Karolinska Scales of Personality and the Temperament and Character Inventory; sample 2 (n = 175) was assessed using the latter only. Both samples were genotyped with respect to the C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene. The A1596G polymorphism in the same gene was also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant association between C178T genotype and the Temperament and Character Inventory factor harm avoidance was observed in sample 1 (corrected for multiple comparisons P =.04); this finding was subsequently replicated in sample 2 (P =.004) (pooled populations: P<.001). In the pooled sample, all harm avoidance subscales were found to be significantly associated with the C178T polymorphism: anticipatory worry (P =.001), fear of uncertainty (P<.001), shyness (P<.001), and fatigability and asthenia (P =.008). In addition, a significant association was found in sample 1 between the C178T polymorphism and the Karolinska Scales of Personality nonconformity factor (corrected P =.002), including the subscales of social desirability (P<.001), indirect aggression (P =.002), verbal aggression (P =.05), and irritability (P<.001). Participants homozygous for the less common T allele (<4%) differed from the remaining women by displaying lower ratings on harm avoidance and nonconformity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene may affect the personality trait of harm avoidance in women.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. jonas.melke@pharm.gu.se
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melke
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Westberg
authors.forename: Staffan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soderstrom
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baghaei
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosmond
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Björntorp
authors.forename: Lars-Göran
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adolfsson
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / Q000235:genetics*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; C474013:HTRA3 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases