Lack of Association between Serotonin Transporter (5-HTT) and Serotonin Receptor (5-HT2A) Gene Polymorphisms with Smoking Behavior among Malaysian Malays

Abstract

An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and a polymorphism (rs6313) in the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5-HT2A) have previously been linked to smoking behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the possible association of the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2A gene polymorphisms with smoking behavior within a population of Malaysian male smokers (n=248) and non-smokers (n=248). The 5-HTTLPR genotypes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were classified as short (S) alleles or long (L) alleles. The 5HT2A genotypes were determined using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). No significant differences in the distribution frequencies of the alleles were found between the smokers and the non-smokers for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (x2 = 0.72, P>0.05) or the 5HT2A polymorphism (x2 = 0.73, P>0.05). This is the first study conducted on Malaysian Malay males regarding the association of 5-HTTLPR and 5HT2A polymorphisms and smoking behavior. However, the genes were not found to be associated with smoking behavior in our population.

Evaluation of the predisposition of serotonin transporter polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR) and complement factor H (CFH) variants to smoking status

“…But, there was no significant relationship between genotype distribution and continuing or starting smoking [21]. However, there are studies showing that the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism does not affect smoking behavior [22][23][24]. Similarly, Lerman et al evaluated the relationship between smoking practices and smoking cessation with 5-HTTLPR in their study.…”

Association of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism with smoking behaviors: A meta-analysis

“…1. We identified 21 articles [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] with 30 outcomes eligible for this meta-analysis on the relation of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism to smoking behaviors.…”