MAOA interacts with the ALDH2 gene in anxiety-depression alcohol dependence
Journal
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
7
Pages
1212-1218
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Lee S.-Y.
Hahn C.-Y.
Lee J.-F.
Huang S.-Y.
Chen S.-L.
Lee I.H.
Yeh T.L.
Yang Y.K.
Chen S.-H.
Ko H.-C.
Abstract
Background: Alcohol dependence is usually comorbid with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, or both; this comorbidity may increase drinking behavior. We previously hypothesized that anxiety-depressive alcohol dependence (ANX/DEP ALC) was a genetically specific subtype of alcohol dependence. ANX/DEP ALC may be related to dopamine and serotonin, which are catalyzed by monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). The aim of this study was to determine whether the interaction between the MAOA and the ALDH2 genes is associated with ANX/DEP ALC. Methods: We recruited 383 Han Chinese men in Taiwan: 143 ANX/DEP ALC and 240 healthy controls. The diagnosis of ANX/DEP ALC (alcohol dependence with a past or current history of anxiety, depressive disorder, or both) was made using DSM-IV criteria. Genotypes of ALDH2 and MAOA-uVNTR (variable number of tandem repeat located upstream) were determined using PCR-RFLP. Results: The ALDH2, but not the MAOA-uVNTR, polymorphism was associated with ANX/DEP ALC. After stratifying the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism, we found a stronger association between the ALDH2*1/*2 and *2/*2 genotypes and the controls in the MAOA-uVNTR 4-repeat subgroup. Logistic regression significantly associated the interaction between ALDH2 and MAOA variants with ANX/DEP ALC. Conclusion: We conclude that the MAOA and ALDH2 genes interact in ANX/DEP ALC. Although the MAOA gene alone is not associated with ANX/DEP ALC, we hypothesize that different variants of MAOA-uVNTR polymorphisms modify the protective effects of the ALDH2*2 allele on ANX/DEP ALC in Han Chinese in Taiwan. ? 2010 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.
SDGs
Other Subjects
aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzyme 2; amine oxidase (flavin containing) isoenzyme A; adult; alcoholism; anxiety depression alcohol dependence; article; controlled study; gene frequency; gene interaction; genetic association; genetic linkage; genetic polymorphism; genetic susceptibility; genetic variability; genotype; human; major clinical study; male; polymerase chain reaction; priority journal; restriction fragment length polymorphism; variable number of tandem repeat; Adult; Alcoholism; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; Alleles; Anxiety Disorders; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Depressive Disorder; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Minisatellite Repeats; Monoamine Oxidase; Polymorphism, Genetic; Taiwan
Type
journal article