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Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome
Published on: September 23, 2015
The serotonin transporter gene polymorphism is not associated with smoking behavior
O Trummer1, H Köppel, T C Wascher
1Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
The Pharmacogenomics Journal
|May 17, 2006
Summary
The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter polymorphism does not significantly influence smoking behavior or nicotine dependence in Caucasian populations. Genetic variations in SLC6A4 are not major determinants of smoking habits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Nicotine affects serotonin release, and withdrawal symptoms may involve serotonergic pathways.
- The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has a functional polymorphism in its promoter region.
- The long (L) SLC6A4 variant is associated with higher transcriptional activity and serotonin uptake compared to the short (S) variant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism and smoking behavior.
- To determine if SLC6A4 genotype influences smoking status, nicotine dependence, or smoking cessation attempts.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping for the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism in two independent Caucasian cohorts: the SMOKING GENES study and the LURIC study.
- Comparing genotype frequencies between smokers and non-smokers.
- Analyzing the association of SLC6A4 genotypes with smoking parameters like Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire score, pack-years, and quit attempts.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in SLC6A4 genotype frequencies were found between smokers and non-smokers in either the SMOKING GENES study (P=0.13) or the LURIC study (P=0.33).
- SLC6A4 genotypes were not associated with measures of smoking intensity (pack-years, cigarettes per day) or nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom score).
- Previous attempts to quit smoking also showed no association with SLC6A4 genotypes.
Conclusions:
- The SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism is not a significant determinant of smoking behavior in the studied Caucasian populations.
- Genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene do not appear to play a major role in the predisposition to smoking or nicotine dependence.
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