Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism and Personality Traits in a Korean Population

Abstract

Recently, there has been growing enthusiasm for exploring biological approaches to personality, especially in the area of genetic research into the identification of those genes responsible for particular personality traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism and personality traits. We recruited 211 unrelated, normal subjects. The Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to assess certain personality traits. From blood samples taken from the subjects, DNA was isolated using standard techniques and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was genotyped by means of polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis. We classified the subject into the s/s, s/l, and l/l groups according to their genotype. The differences in the temperament factors of the TCI between group S (s/s genotype) and group L (s/l + l/l genotype) were assessed, after the inclusion of gender and age as covariates in the analysis of variance. After controlling for gender and age, there were no associations between the harm avoidance, novelty seeking, and reward dependence scores and the genotypes. However, the persistence score of group S was significantly higher than that of group L. Our results suggest that the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may be associated with the persistence score of the TCI in a normal Korean population.

The Effects of Serotonin Transporter Promoter and Monoamine Oxidase A Gene Polymorphisms on Trait Emotional Intelligence

“…The genotypic distributions of the 5-HTTLPR, TPH1 and MAOAEcoRV polymorphisms are similar to those presented in other studies of Korean populations [28][29][30] . As the number of subjects with the l/l genotype of 5-HTTLPR in our sample was small (8 males, 4.4%; 9 females, 7.2%), and as the s allele has the lower transcription activity, the l/s and l/l genotypes were grouped together into a non-s/s genotype group for comparison with the s/s genotype.…”

Association of a Functional Polymorphism in the Serotonin Transporter Gene with Personality Traits in Females in a Polish Population

“…The results of both cited studies are inconsistent with the results that we obtained. It must be remembered, however, that the frequency of occurrence of the S variant in Asian populations is totally different from that in the Polish population [33,34] . Moreover, although the endurance and persistence parameters, as understood by Cloninger, are correlated, they are not identical.…”

Social Withdrawal and Shyness

“…For example, at the genetic level, carrying the " short " allele of the serotonin transporter (5 -HTT) polymorphism gene has been linked to high reactivity and shyness in children . It has been suggested that the short allele might be more prevalent in East Asian populations and the long allele more prevalent in European populations (Kim et al, 2005 ).…”