title: Chronotype and a PERIOD3 variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in Han Chinese pilots.
abstract: An association has been determined between variable number tandem-repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in the PERIOD3 gene (PER3, rs57875989) and chronotype. An association has been found in which the longer PER3(5) allele is correlated with diurnal preference and shorter PER3(4) allele is linked with preference for evening, respectively. In this study, we explored the genotype frequency and relationship to the chronotype of a PER3 VNTR polymorphism in Han Chinese pilots compared to other populations to further develop aviation safety research. DNA samples were genotyped with respect to the 4-repeat and 5-repeat alleles of the PER3 VNTR polymorphism. We compared and analyzed PER3 VNTR genotype frequencies of a general Han Chinese population and Han Chinese pilots. The chronotypes of our subjects were evaluated by the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ). The distribution of PER3 VNTR genotype frequencies from 240 Han Chinese was determined (PER3(4/4), 78.3%; PER3(4/5), 20.0%; PER3(5/5), 1.7%) and compared to the genotype frequencies of 126 Han Chinese pilots (PER3(4/4), 71.4%; PER3(4/5), 26.1%; PER3(5/5), 2.4%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the general Han Chinese population and Han Chinese pilots regarding the PER3 VNTR genotype and allele frequencies (x(2) = 2.170, p > 0.05). Furthermore, MEQ results showed no association between the PER3 VTNR polymorphism and chronotype. However, PER3 VNTR genotype frequencies differed significantly between Han Chinese and other ethnic groups previously reported, such as Caucasians, African Americans and Italians. These data indicate that the proposed role of the PER3 VNTR needs further clarification and the role of PER3(5) allele in sleep regulation needs to be investigated in more detail. In particular, a study of PER3 polymorphisms with a larger sample size of Han Chinese individuals and Han Chinese pilots may be required.
authors.affiliation: Center of Basic Medical Sciences, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Huaijie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Administration, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Nanlou Department of Respiratory Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Changxi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center, Division of Internal Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Peiliang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Administration, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Administration, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Haiwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Administration, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ruxue
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center of Basic Medical Sciences, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiuhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hairong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Medical Team, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Center of Basic Medical Sciences, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaohang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Administration, Navy General Hospital of PLA Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yangming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qian
keywords: Han Chinese; PER3 VNTR; chronotype; circadian rhythm; diurnal preference; gene frequency; sleep deprivation