[Role of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) polymorphisms in personality traits variation].

According to psychobiological model of personality proposed by Cloninger, personality traits characterizing enhanced tendency to novel stimuli, impulsivity and sociability are influenced by dopaminergic system functioning. The present study considered both the main effect of two polymorphic loci (VNTR and 2319G>A) in dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and the role of distinct DAT1 gene haplotypes in personality traits variation in 592 healthy individuals belonging to different ethnicities (men and women). The results of the study revealed the involvement of VNTR and 2319G>A polymorphisms in Novelty Seeking variation and the main effect of 2319G>A polymorphism on Reward Dependence (TCI) observed in Russian females. Moreover, DAT1 gene haplotype effect on Novelty Seeking in Russian females and on Persistence (TCI) in Tatar females was demonstrated. Reported in the current study results pointed to the involvement of dopaminergic system (DAT1 gene in particular) in variation of personality traits characterizing the tendency to novel stimuli, purposefulness, and sociability specifically in women.

[Association of several polymorphic loci of serotoninergic genes with unipolar depression].

Serotoninergic system is one of the major brain neurotransmitter systems that is involved in the development of depression disorders. Regulatory genes of this system are the principle candidate genes predisposing to unipolar depression. Using PCR-RFLP analysis, we have conducted a study of polymorphic loci of several genes of this system: C1019G of serotonin receptor 1A gene, (HTR1A); A438G of serotonin receptor 2A gene, (HTR2A); G861C of serotonin receptor 1B gene, (HTR1B); Stin2VNTR and 5-HTTLPR of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) in patients with unipolar depression among ethnic Tatars and Russians. The results of the study suggest that genotype 10/10 of the SLC6A4 gene as well as genotype G/G and allele G of the HTR2A gene can predispose for increased risk of unipolar depression development in ethnic Russians. In contrast, genotype 12/10 of the SLC6A4 gene is a marker of low risk of the disease development in both ethnic groups.