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GENETIC STUDY: Dopamine receptor genes ( DRD2 , DRD3 and DRD4 ) and gene–gene interactions associated with smoking‐related behaviors
Author(s) -
Vandenbergh David J.,
O’Connor Richard J.,
Grant Michael D.,
Jefferson Akilah L.,
Vogler George P.,
Strasser Andrew A.,
Kozlowski Lynn T.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.445
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1369-1600
pISSN - 1355-6215
DOI - 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2007.00054.x
Subject(s) - allele , genetics , variable number tandem repeat , genotype , gene , dopamine receptor d2 , craving , polymorphism (computer science) , dopamine receptor d3 , psychology , biology , addiction , psychiatry , receptor
Cigarette smoking, like many addictive behaviors, has a genetic component, and the dopamine D2‐like receptor genes ( DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4 ) are candidates for contributing to these behaviors. Phenotypic information concerning smoking‐related behaviors from a nationally representative sample of research volunteers was analyzed for association with polymorphisms in these genes. Genotype status at the DRD2 intron 2 simple tandem repeat was related to cigarettes per day ( P = 0.035) and heaviness of smoking index ( P = 0.049). The presence of the glycine allele at the S9G polymorphism of the DRD3 gene was associated with frequency/quantity measures of smoking [log‐transformed time to first cigarette ( P = 0.031) and heaviness of smoking index ( P = 0.035)]. There was a trend for DRD4 long alleles of the variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism to be associated with reduced severity of three withdrawal symptoms [desire/craving ( P = 0.054); anger/irritability ( P = 0.10); and trouble sleeping ( P = 0.068)]. Interactions between genotypes at all three genes were associated with nervousness ( P = 0.020) and trouble sleeping ( P = 0.015). An interaction between DRD2 and DRD3 was found for trouble concentrating ( P = 0.020). These relationships present possible dopamine‐related responses to nicotine that warrant further study.