title: The role of genetic variability in the SLC6A4, BDNF and GABRA6 genes in anxiety-related traits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to test the individual association of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) and the GABA(A) α(6) receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) with anxiety-related traits and to explore putative gene-gene interactions in a Spanish healthy sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 937 individuals from the general population completed the Temperament and Character Inventory questionnaire to explore Harm Avoidance (HA) dimension; a subsample of 553 individuals also filled in the Big Five Questionnaire to explore the Neuroticism dimension. The whole sample was genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (SLC6A4 gene), the Val66Met polymorphism (BDNF gene) and the T1521C polymorphism (GABRA6 gene).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Homozygous individuals for the T allele of the T1512C polymorphism presented slightly higher scores for HA than C allele carriers (F = 2.96, P = 0.019). In addition, there was a significant gene-gene interaction on HA between the 5-HTTLPR and Val66Met polymorphisms (F = 3.4, P = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GABRA6 emerges as a candidate gene involved in the variability of HA. The effect of a significant gene-gene interaction between the SLC6A4 and BDNF genes on HA could explain part of the genetic basis underlying anxiety-related traits.
authors: Department of Animal Biology, Anthropology Section, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Arias
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Aguilera
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Moya
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: Sáiz
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Villa
authors: M I
authors: MI
authors: Ibáñez
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: García-Portillo
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bobes
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ortet
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Fañanás
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013030:Spain; D013694:Temperament
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C546171:GABRA6 protein, human; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins