Gender difference in association between polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene regulatory region and anxiety.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to verify the hypothesis that variation of the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with sensitivity to stress.


METHODS
Genotyping of 5-HTTLPR and evaluation of emotional states were performed on 194 participants. Participants' emotional states were evaluated using the Perceived-Stress Scale (PSS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).


RESULTS
There was significant GenderxGenotype interaction in STAI (state, P<.05; trait, P<.05). Females with the l/s genotype showed higher anxiety than those with the s/s genotype in both state and trait anxiety. Oppositely, males with the s/s genotype showed higher anxiety than those with the l/s genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
On all emotional scales, females with the l/s genotype showed high scores, contrary to males with the same genotype. Therefore, our results suggest that 5-HTTLPR l allele may be one pathway that activates negative emotion in females but acts contrary in males.
Mizuno
Tomoko
T
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Aoki
Masashi
M
Shimada
Yuko
Y
Inoue
Midori
M
Nakaya
Kumi
K
Takahashi
Toshiaki
T
Itoyama
Yasuto
Y
Kanazawa
Motoyori
M
Utsumi
Atsushi
A
Endo
Yuka
Y
Nomura
Taisuke
T
Hiratsuka
Masahiro
M
Mizugaki
Michinao
M
Goto
Junichi
J
Hongo
Michio
M
Fukudo
Shin
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017931:DNA Primers; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins