Polymorphism G861C of 5-HT receptor subtype 1B is associated with heroin dependence in Han Chinese

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2011-09, Vol.412 (3), p.450-453
• Main Authors: Gao, F., Zhu, Y.S., Wei, S.G., Li, S.B., Lai, J.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; China; Heroin dependence; Heroin Dependence - genetics; Humans; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphisms; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B - genetics; Serotonin receptors
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.07.114

► HTR 1B G861C genotype was found to be associated with heroin dependence. ► G allele of G861C might be risk factors for developing heroin dependence. ► The amount of intravenous injection heroin taken by GG genotype patients is higher than CC and CG genotype patients. The serotoninergic (5-HT) system regulates neuronal activity in broad brain regions, and appears to be particularly important for modulating behavioral and physiological functions such as mood, emotion, sleep and appetite. Central 5-HT deregulation may be involved in many neuropsychological disorders, which include substance abuse and addiction. Previous studies suggest that genetic polymorphisms in some 5-HT receptor genes may relate to heroin dependency. Here we examined potential association between heroin dependence and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 5-HT receptors (A-1438G and T102C of HTR 2A, and G861C and A1180G of HTR 1B) in a cohort of Han Chinese. Participants included 303 heroin-dependent subjects who were recruited into the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Program in the Xi’an Mental Health Center, and 300 healthy controls. The resulting data yielded a significantly higher frequency of the HTR 1B G allele with G861C among the heroin-dependent subjects relative to controls ( p = 0.001 after Bonferroni correction). Further genotype and clinical phenotype correlation study of the G861C carriers showed that the amount of heroin self-injection was higher in patients with the GG genotype relative to CC and CG genotypes ( p < 0.01). These findings point to a role for HTR 1B polymorphism in heroin dependence among Han Chinese, and may be informative for future genetic or neurobiological studies on heroin dependence.