From genes to aggressive behavior: the role of serotonergic system.
Recent investigations in neurogenomics have opened up new lines of research into a crucial genetic problem-the pathway from genes to behavior. This paper concentrates on the involvement of protein elements in the brain neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) system in the genetic control of aggressive behavior. Specifically, it describes: (1) the effect of the knockout of MAO A, the principal enzyme in 5-HT degradation, (2) the association of intermale aggression with the polymorphism in the Tph2 gene encoding the key enzyme in 5-HT synthesis in the brain, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and (3) the effect of selective breeding for nonaggressive behavior on 5-HT metabolism, TPH activity and 5-HT(1A) receptors in the brain. The review provides converging lines of evidence that: (1) brain 5-HT contributes to a critical mechanism underlying genetically defined individual differences in aggressiveness, and (2) genes encoding pivotal enzymes in 5-HT metabolism (TPH and MAO A), 5-HT-transporter, 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptors belong to a group of genes that modulate aggressive behavior.
Popova
Nina K
NK
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. npopova@bionet.nsc.ru
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012701:Serotonin; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase