5HTTLPR: White Knight or Dark Blight?

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2013 Jan 16;4(1):13-5. doi: 10.1021/cn3002224.

Abstract

In over 100 neuroscience genetics reports on SLC6A4 published in the first part of 2012, >40% reported data from genotyping only the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region [5HTTLPR] indel, omitting genotyping of two nearby SNPs that substantially alter 5HTTLPR allele frequencies and functionality. And 25% of these papers did not report ethnicity of the subjects genotyped, another factor that alters allele frequencies. This field thus seems stultified. Improved science for the present and future will be better served by attention to more complete methods for genotyping and subject sample reporting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / genetics
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype*
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Humans
  • Personality Disorders / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins