The 3111T C Polymorphism Interacts With Stressful Life Events to Influence Patterns of Sleep in Females

• Published in: Chronobiology international 2012-08, Vol.29 (7), p.891-897
• Main Authors: Antypa, Niki, Mandelli, Laura, Nearchou, Finiki A., Vaiopoulos, Chrysostomos, Stefanis, Costas N., Serretti, Alessandro, Stefanis, Nikos C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Circadian Rhythm - genetics; Circadian Rhythm - physiology; CLOCK gene; CLOCK Proteins - genetics; CLOCK Proteins - physiology; Depression; Depression - genetics; Depression - physiopathology; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Human beings; Humans; Middle Aged; PER3 gene; Period Circadian Proteins - genetics; Period Circadian Proteins - physiology; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Sleep; Sleep - genetics; Sleep - physiology; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - genetics; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - physiopathology; Stress; Stress, Psychological - genetics; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0742-0528; 1525-6073
• DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2012.699380

Genetic variations in clock-relevant genes have been investigated in relation to sleep abnormalities, both in healthy populations and in mood-disorder patients with inconsistent results. Environmental influences may moderate associations between genes and phenotype. The authors examined the CLOCK 3111T C polymorphism and several variants within the PER3 gene and their possible interaction with stressful life events in a group of female volunteers (n = 415). Gene-environment (G × E) interactions and gene main effects were investigated on depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory and on change of sleep patterns (Item 16). Results showed a G × E interaction on alteration of sleeping pattern: the 3111C homozygous genotype reported greater disruption in sleep pattern after the experience of stressful life events. Within the PER3 gene, one G × E interaction was observed with rs228642 on sleep change. These findings show that the 3111T C polymorphism is not associated with depressive symptoms, but only with symptoms of sleep change in the case of prior stressful life experiences. The combination of a sensitive genotype (3111C C) and environmental stress increases vulnerability to circadian rhythm disruption in females. (Author correspondence: [e-mail])