title: Lack of Association between the Serotonin Transporter (5-HTT) and Serotonin Receptor (5-HT2A) Gene Polymorphisms with Smoking Behavior among Malaysian Malays.
abstract: An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and a polymorphism (rs6313) in the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5-HT2A) have previously been linked to smoking behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the possible association of the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2A gene polymorphisms with smoking behavior within a population of Malaysian male smokers (n=248) and non-smokers (n=248). The 5-HTTLPR genotypes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were classified as short (S) alleles or long (L) alleles. The 5HT2A genotypes were determined using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). No significant differences in the distribution frequencies of the alleles were found between the smokers and the non-smokers for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (x(2) = 0.72, P>0.05) or the 5HT2A polymorphism (x(2) = 0.73, P>0.05). This is the first study conducted on Malaysian Malay males regarding the association of 5-HTTLPR and 5HT2A polymorphisms and smoking behavior. However, the genes were not found to be associated with smoking behavior in our population.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Nur Iwani A
authors: NI
authors: Rozak
authors: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Imran
authors: I
authors: Ahmad
authors: Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Siew Hua
authors: SH
authors: Gan
authors: Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Ruzilawati
authors: R
authors: Abu Bakar
keywords: 5-HTTLPR; 5HT2A; Genetic polymorphism; Malaysian Malays male; PCR-RFLP