Association of DNA Polymorphisms in the Synaptic Vesicular Amine Transporter Gene (SLC18A2) with Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence

• DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300809
• Publication Date: 2005-06-29T15:20:22Z
• Authors: Sibylle G Schwab; Petra E Franke; Barbara Hoefgen; Vera Guttenthaler; Dirk Lichtermann; Matyas Trixler; Michael Knapp; Wolfgang Maier; Dieter B Wildenauer
• Keywords: Alcohol Dependence; Transmission disequilibrium test; Genetic Association

The brain synaptic vesicular amine transporter SLCA18A2 is a key component for the uptake of monoamines like dopamine or serotonin into vesicles. We have analyzed seven DNA polymorphisms located in the genomic region of SLC18A2 for association with alcohol- and nicotine dependence, using a family-based design. Our sample comprised 131 families with alcohol-dependent offspring and 96 families with at least one nicotine-dependent offspring. For the alcohol-dependent sample, we found statistical significant association for two single markers (rs363387, P=0.03; rs363333, P=0.0066) as well as for several haplotypes (minimal P=0.0038). When the sample with alcohol dependence was stratified according to gender, we observed increased association for the male subgroup (rs363387, P=0.0011). None of the markers showed association in the sample of families with nicotine dependence. However, analysis of a combined sample of alcohol and nicotine-dependent families resulted in single markers as well as several haplotypes showing statistical significant association with substance dependence (minimal P=0.0044). We conclude that DNA polymorphisms located in SLC18A2 might contribute to the development of substance dependence.