Combination of the serotonin transporter and norepinephrine transporter gene promoter polymorphisms might influence harm avoidance and novelty seeking in healthy females.
It has been demonstrated that the interaction between serotonin transporter (5HTT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) functions affects each transporter function and behavior in studies using knockout mice model. In the present study, we examined the effects of the 5HTT and NET gene promoter polymorphisms on personality traits in 575 Japanese healthy subjects. The 5HTT (long/short, L/S) and NET (-3081 A/T) genotypes were identified by PCR methods, and personality traits were assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Neither of the two polymorphisms affected any TCI dimension, but the interaction between them had significant effects on harm avoidance and novelty seeking in females. Subsequent analyses showed that the females with the combination of the SS genotype reducing 5HTT function and the TT genotype reducing NET function had higher harm avoidance and lower novelty seeking. The present study suggests that the combination of 5HTT and NET polymorphisms influences harm avoidance and novelty seeking in females.
Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan. suzukiakihito@hotmail.com
Akihito
A
Suzuki
Yoshihiko
Y
Matsumoto
Shingo
S
Oshino
Mitsuhiro
M
Kamata
Kaoru
K
Goto
Koichi
K
Otani
D000328:Adult; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D040261:Harm Reduction / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050484:Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D050484:Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins