Interaction between gene variants of the serotonin transporter promoter region (5-HTTLPR) and catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) in borderline personality disorder

Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2009 Jun 5;150B(4):487-95. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30843.

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by a heterogeneous symptomatology with instability in impulse control, interpersonal relationships and self-image. BPD patients display repeated self-injury, chronic suicidal tendencies and emotional dysregulation, mainly dysregulation of negative affect. In its etiology, genetic and environmental factors have been suggested. Recently, an investigation in male healthy volunteers found gene-gene effects of the catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) low-activity (Met(158)) and the low-expression allele of the deletion/insertion (short/long or S/L, respectively) polymorphism in the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) on the central processing of aversive stimuli. The purpose of the present study was to test for association between BPD and the COMT Val(158)Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), the 5-HTTLPR S/L variant and the interaction of these two gene variants. One hundred sixty one well-defined Caucasian BPD patients and 156 healthy controls were recruited from central Germany. In BPD patients, the genotype COMT Met(158)Met was over-represented compared to healthy controls (P = 0.0085; adjusted P = 0.034). We observed no differences in 5-HTTLPR genotypes between BPD and controls (P = 0.286). Additionally, the COMT Met(158)Met genotype was significantly over-represented in BPD patients carrying at least one 5-HTTLPR S allele (P = 0.0007; adjusted P = 0.028). Logistic regression analysis confirmed an interaction of the COMT Met(158) and the 5-HTTLPR S allele (P = 0.001). These data suggest an involvement of altered dopaminergic and/or noradrenergic neurotransmission as well as an interactive effect of COMT and 5-HTTLPR gene variants in the etiology of BPD, and underline the usefulness of analyses of gene-gene effects in diseases of complex inheritance with multiple genes involved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / genetics*
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase