title: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene modulates private self-consciousness and self-flexibility.
abstract: Dopamine levels in the brain influence human consciousness. Inspired by the role of Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in inactivating dopamine in the brain, we investigated to what extent COMT could modulate individual's self-consciousness dispositions and self-consistency by genotyping the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism and measuring self-consciousness and self-consistency and congruence in a college student population. The results indicated that COMT Val158Met polymorphism significantly modulated the private self-consciousness. The individuals with Val/Val genotype, corresponding to lower dopamine levels in the brain, were more likely to be aware of their feelings and beliefs. The results also indicated that this polymorphism modulated one's self-flexibility. The individuals with Val/Val genotype showed higher levels of stereotype in self-concept compared with those with Met/Met genotype. These findings suggest that COMT is a predictor of the individual differences in self-consciousness and self-flexibility.
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Bei
authors: B
authors: Wang
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Wenzhao
authors: W
authors: Ru
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Xing
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Yang
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Pengpeng
authors: P
authors: Fang
authors: Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
authors: Xu
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
authors: Guomin
authors: G
authors: Shen
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China. Electronic address: gaoxc@nwu.edu.cn.
authors: Xiaocai
authors: X
authors: Gao
authors: Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China. Electronic address: gpy1026@163.com.
authors: Pingyuan
authors: P
authors: Gong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
keywords: Catechol-O-methyltransferase; Dopamine; Private self-consciousness; Public self-consciousness; Self-flexibility