title: Brief communication: 5-HTTLPR genetic diversity and mode of subsistence in Native Americans.
abstract: The relationship between the "individualism-collectivism" and the serotonin transporter functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), suggested in the previous reports, was tested in Native South Amerindian populations. A total of 170 individuals from 21 populations were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR alleles. For comparative purposes, these populations were classified as individualistic (recent history of hunter-gathering) or collectivistic (agriculturalists). These two groups showed an almost identical S allele frequency (75 and 76%, respectively). The analysis of molecular variance showed no structural differences between them. Behavioral typologies like those suggested by JY Chiao and KD Blizinsky (Proc R Soc B 277 () 529-537) are always a simplification of complex phenomena and should be regarded with caution. In addition, classification of a whole nation in the individualist/collectivist dichotomy is controversial. The focus on modes of subsistence in preindustrial societies, as was tested here, may be a good alternative although the postulated association between the 5-HTTLPR S allele and the collectivist societies was not confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bisso-Machado
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramallo
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tarazona-Santos
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salzano
authors.forename: Maria Cátira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bortolini
authors.forename: Tábita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hünemeier
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D008019:Life Style; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins