Association of genetic polymorphisms of HTR2C gene with substance dependence syndrome

Abstract

Serotonin receptors are involved in regulation of mood, appetite and different aspects of behavior. 5-HT2C receptors modulate dopamine release in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus and some other brain structures. HTR2C genetic polymorphism rs6318 is known to lead to a substitution of serine for cysteine at codon 23 (Cys23Ser). There is some evidence that the Ser23 C allele is supposed to be more active than the Cys23 G allele. Despite of numerous articles about this polymorphism, the data on its contribution to substance dependence syndrome is missing. The aim of this study was to assess possible association between HTR2C rs6318 polymorphism and substance dependence syndrome. The study included 1087 participants: 773 controls and 324 patients, diagnosed with psychoactive substance dependence with withdrawal. The allele frequencies of rs6318 polymorphism were: fG= 0.861 fC = 0.139 in female patients, fG= 0.865 fC = 0.135 in female controls, in male patients fG= 0.841 fC = 0.159, and in male controls fG= 0.87 fC = 0.13.