Comment in:

Health Psychol. 1999 Jan;18(1):3-6.

Health Psychol. 1999 Jan;18(1):7-13.

Evidence suggesting the role of specific genetic factors in cigarette smoking.

Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007-4104, USA. lermanc@gunet.georgetown.edu

Twin studies suggest that propensity to smoke and ability to quit smoking are influenced by genetic factors. As a means of investigating the risk of smoking associated with genetic polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter (SLC6A3) and the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) genes, a case-control study of 289 smokers and 233 nonsmoking controls and a case series analysis of smokers were conducted. A significant effect for SLC6A3 and a significant gene-gene interaction were found in a logistic regression model, indicating that individuals with SLC6A3-9 genotypes were significantly less likely to be smokers, especially if they also had DRD2-A2 genotypes. Smokers with SLC6A3-9 genotypes were also significantly less likely to have started smoking before 16 years of age and had prior smoking histories indicating a longer period of prior smoking cessation. This study provides preliminary evidence that the SLC6A3 gene may influence smoking initiation and nicotine dependence.

PMID: 9925041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]