Effects of genetic and early environmental risk factors for depression on serotonin transporter expression and methylation profiles.

ABSTRACT: The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has been implicated in moderating the link between life stress and depression. However, respective molecular pathways of gene-environment (GxE) interaction are largely unknown. Sustained alterations in SERT gene expression profiles, possibly mediated by epigenetic modifications, are a frequent correlate of depression and may thus constitute a putative mediator of GxE interaction. Here, we aimed to investigate joint effects of 5-HTTLPR and self-reported environmental adversity throughout the lifespan (prenatal, early and recent stress/trauma) on in vivo SERT mRNA expression in peripheral blood cells. To further evaluate whether environmentally induced changes in SERT expression are mediated by epigenetic modification

SUBMITTER: Wankerl M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4080318 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature