The DRD2 gene codes for the dopamine receptor D2. This polymorphic gene is located on chromosome 11. Point mutations in and near the coding region of the DRD2 gene which have a major impact on personality.

Basal personality endophenotypes

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Four basal personality endophenotypes are associated with polymorphisms in the ANKK1 gene and D2 receptor response to dopamine: calm, anxious, impulsive, and dissocial.

Basal Personality Endophenotypes

 

 

ANKK1 TaqI-A polymorphism

 

 

A2 allele

A1 allele

D2 receptor

normal response

calm

anxious

abnormal response

impulsive

dissocial

Personality phenotypes

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A number of distinct personality phenotypes have been associated with polymorphisms in and near the DRD2 gene.

Personality phenotypes associated with DRD2

Basal Endophenotype

DRD2 genotype

ANKK1 TaqI-A allele

Phenotype

Calm

T957T

A2

smoking

Anxious

C957T

A1

posttraumatic stress disorder

 

–141C ins/del

A1

avoidant personality disorder

Impulsive

C957C

A2

 

Dissocial

C957C

A1

dissocial personality disorder

The –141C ins/del polymorphism

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The –141C ins/del polymorphism is located in the promoter region of the DRD2 gene 141 base pairs upstream of the coding region. This polymorphism has been associated with a detached personality type. [1] The –141C ins/del polymorphism may be associated with a blunted expression of DRD2 receptors in response to dopamine.

The C957T polymorphism

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The C957T polymorphism is a synonymous mutation located within the coding region of the DRD2 gene. This mutation affects the conformation and stability of DRD2 messenger RNA. [2] The C957T polymorphism might not influence the intensity of the initial expression of DRD2 receptors in response to dopamine. However, it may influence the duration of that response. In any event, the T allele appears to be associated with decreased D2 receptor expression compared to the C allele. [3] The C957C genotype is associated with a reward-related impulsivity endophenotype in response to acute psychosocial stress. [4] The C957C genotype is also associated with schizophrenia. [5]

The TaqI-A polymorphism

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Although the TaqI-A polymorphism is traditionally associated with the DRD2 gene itself, it is actually a single nucleotide polymorphism (Glu713Lys) located 9.4 Kb downstream of the DRD2 gene in the coding region of the ANKK1 gene. [6] This gene controls the synthesis of dopamine. Phenotypic expression of the TaqI-A polymorphism differs according to gender. [7] Results of studies of this polymorphism involving males should be interpreted with caution when being applied to females.

A1 allele

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The TaqI-A A1 allele is associated with a reduced expression of D2 receptors, an increased susceptibility to Neuroleptic malignant syndrome [8] and posttraumatic stress disorder. [9] The C957T CC genotype and the TaqI-A A1 allele are epistatically associated with dissocial personality disorder among alcoholics. [10]

A2 allele

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The TaqI-A A2 allele is associated with smoking. [11]

Height and Body Mass

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In addition to the three point mutations discussed above, two additional single nucleotide polymorphisms within the DRD2 gene have been associated with height and body mass. [12] These two mutations may reduce the binding affinity of the D2 receptors. L-tyrosine, a metabolic precursor to dopamine has been proposed as a treatment for obesity. [13]

Avoidant personality disorder

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A detached personality is associated with the –141C ins/del polymorphism in the promoter region of the DRD2 gene, [14] and avoidant attachment is associated with a polymorphism of the 5HT2A serotonin receptor gene. [15] Avoidant personality disorder has also been associated with Taq A1 allele. [16]

Also see

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DSM-5 Personality Disorders

References

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  1. http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(02)01732-8/abstract
  2. http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/3/205.short
  3. http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v9/n12/full/4001561a.html
  4. http://www.mendeley.com/research/interaction-between-drd2-c957t-polymorphism-and-an-acute-psychosocial-stressor-on-rewardrelated-behavioral-impulsivity/
  5. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00874.x/full
  6. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/humu.20039/abstract
  7. http://www.springerlink.com/content/63684w2817g63846/
  8. http://journals.lww.com/jpharmacogenetics/abstract/1997/12000/d2_dopamine_receptor_gene__drd2__taql_a.6.aspx
  9. http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/0006-3223(95)00519-6/abstract
  10. http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/193/2/121.pdf
  11. http://journals.lww.com/jpharmacogenetics/Abstract/1996/02000/The_dopamine_D2_receptor__DRD2__gene__a_genetic.6.aspx
  12. http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/docs/10Noble.pdf
  13. http://www.google.ca/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT4843071&id=L0UyAAAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=l-tyrosine+obesity&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q=l-tyrosine%20obesity&f=false
  14. http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(02)01732-8/abstract
  15. http://psp.sagepub.com/content/34/10/1396.short
  16. http://4np.net/~sum1/psyforum/d2-dat-gene-schizoid.pdf