Increased risk for major depression associated with the short allele of the serotonin transporter promoter region (5-HTTLPR-S) and the CYP2C9*3 allele

Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Aug;21(4):451-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2007.00501.x.

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to analyze the potential relevance of the polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (SERT or 5-HTT) gene (5-HTTLPR) and the risk of suffering major depression (MDD) in a population of patients previously genotyped for CYP2C9. Seventy white European psychiatric outpatients suffering from MDD and a group of 142 healthy volunteers (HVs) were studied. The frequency of subjects carrying the 5-HTTLPR-S allele was higher (P < 0.05) among MDD than in HV. The odds ratio associated with 5-HTTLPR-S allele was 2.03 for the MDD patients in comparison with the HV group. Previously, we found in this population that the CYP2C9*3 allele frequency was higher among this population of MDD patients than in HV. The frequency of subjects with the combination 5-HTTLPR-S and CYP2C9*3 alleles was higher (P < 0.01, odds ratio 3.47) in MDD than in HV. The present findings provide preliminary evidence about the greater risk of suffering MDD for individuals carrying both 5-HTTLPR-S and CYP2C9*3 alleles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • CYP2C9 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases