title: Pleiotropic effect of the TPH A779C polymorphism on nicotine dependence and personality.
abstract: Recent studies from molecular genetics have suggested an association between the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) gene and nicotine addiction indicating a dysfunction of the serotonergic (5-HT) system in smoking behavior. In a sample of 252 healthy subjects, a significant association between variations observed in nicotine dependence and the heterozygous AC-genotype of the TPH A779C polymorphism could be demonstrated. Moreover, the heterozygous genotype was significantly associated with a personality trait of neurotic aggression (indirect hostility, negativism), as measured by the Buss-Durkee-Hostility-Inventory (BDHI). The positive heterosis effects with respect to nicotine addiction and personality support the idea that the TPH1 gene exerts pleiotropic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Center of Psychobiology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany. martin.reuter@psychol.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hennig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005838:Genotype; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase