Human mu opioid receptor gene polymorphisms and vulnerability to substance abuse

Two polymorphisms of the human mu opioid receptor gene are described. A non-coding region polymorphism (G to T) occurs at nucleotide 175 preceding the initiation of translation. A coding polymorphism in exon 1 (C to T) at nucleotide 229 changes an alanine residue to a valine residue. Frequencies of these polymorphisms were examined in groups of cocaine and/or opioid dependent individuals and matched controls. There were no significant differences between groups, although a trend (p= 0.05) towards a higher frequency of the 229 valine allele was observed in the substance abuse group, suggesting a need for large, well-controlled studies of this polymorphism in severe substance abusers.