Association of polymorphisms in the melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R, ACTH receptor) gene with heroin addiction.

ABSTRACT: The melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R or adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH receptor) gene (MC2R) encodes a protein involved in regulation of adrenal cortisol secretion, important in the physiological response to stressors. A variant of MC2R, -179A>G, results in reduction of promoter activity and less adrenal action. We hypothesize that altered stress responsivity plays a key role in the initiation of substance abuse. By direct resequencing of the promoter region and exons 1 and 2 of the MC2R gene in 272 subjects including Caucasians, Hispanics and African Americans with approximately equal numbers of former heroin addicts and normal volunteers, we identified five novel variants each with allele frequency <2%. Previously reported polymorphisms -184G>A (rs2186944), -179A>G, 833A>C (rs289261

SUBMITTER: Proudnikov D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2459342 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature