title: Effect of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene polymorphism G-703 T on personality in a population representative sample.
abstract: The tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene (TPH2) is coding for the key enzyme of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in the brain and has been associated with a number of psychiatric conditions. A functional variation in the TPH2 gene (G-703T, rs4570625) has been found to affect anxiety-related personality; however, information is very limited regarding the five factor model (FFM) personality traits. We have examined the association of the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism with FFM personality traits, and the possible modulation by the functional variation in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in a large longitudinal population representative sample. The FFM personality traits were assessed in both birth cohorts of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study at ages 15 (n=742) and 18 (n=834). Significant association of the TPH2 genotype with Neuroticism and Conscientiousness was found at age 15, and with Extraversion and Conscientiousness at age 18. Participants with the T/T genotype scored significantly lower on Neuroticism and higher on Conscientiousness and Extraversion scales. In addition, a gene×gene interaction effect on Conscientiousness was revealed: the TPH2 genotype effect was evident only in the 5-HTTLPR S-allele carriers. These results provide further evidence on the possible role of genetic variations in 5-HT neurotransmission on development of personality traits, and suggest a functional interaction between two key proteins in the 5-HT-ergic system.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lehto
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Mariliis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaht
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Biology and Physiotherapy, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jarek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäestu
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Development, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Hiiu 42, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Veidebaum
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia. Electronic address: jaanus.harro@ut.ee.
authors.forename: Jaanus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000075384:Neuroticism; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C494784:TPH2 protein, human; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase
keywords: 5-HTTLPR; Epistasis; Gene×gene interaction; Personality; TPH2 G-703T