Effects of environmental stress and gender on associations among symptoms of depression and the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR).
The short (s) variant of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene linked functional polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with depression. Stressful life events, gender, and race have been shown to moderate this association. We examined the relationship between 5-HTTLPR genotype and symptoms of depression in two samples. Study 1 = 288 participants from a study of caregiver stress; and Study 2 = 142 participants from a study examining psychosocial stressors, genetics, and health. Main effects of 5-HTTLPR on symptoms of depression were examined, along with moderation by stress (caregiving status or low childhood socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and race. The 5-HTTLPR x stress group x gender interaction was significant in both samples (P < 0.003, and P < 0.008, respectively). For females, the s allele, combined with caregiving stress (Study 1) or low childhood SES (Study 2), was associated with higher depression scores as compared to participants in the non-stressor group and those with the long (l) allele; whereas, in males, the l allele, combined with a stressor, was associated with higher depression scores as compared to those in the non-stressor group and those with the s allele. Findings from two independent samples suggest that the association of 5-HTTLPR with depression varies according to gender and stressful life events.
Brummett
Beverly H
BH
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2969, Durham, NC 27710, USA. brummett@acpub.duke.edu
Boyle
Stephen H
SH
Siegler
Ilene C
IC
Kuhn
Cynthia M
CM
Ashley-Koch
Allison
A
Jonassaint
Charles R
CR
Züchner
Stephan
S
Collins
Ann
A
Williams
Redford B
RB
D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics; D017028:Caregivers; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D004522:Educational Status; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D004247:DNA