Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:

D2 receptors binding potential is not affected by Taq1 polymorphism at the D2 receptor gene

Abstract

Alcoholism and substance abuse have been associated with a polymorphism in a noncoding region of the D2 receptor gene (the A1 allele of the Taq1 ‘A’ system) in several,1–9 but not all10–13 studies. In addition, the presence of the A1 allele has been associated with lower density of D2 receptors in the caudate nucleus in one postmortem study.14 If the Taq1 ‘A1’ allele is in linkage disequilibrium with a mutation that decreases the expression of the D2 receptor gene, it is conceivable that subjects with the A1 allele might be predisposed to behaviors which stimulate dopamine transmission, such as alcoholism or substance abuse. In this study, we attempted to confirm the association between the A1 allele and lower D2 receptor density, and explored a possible association between the B1 allele and D2 receptor expression. Genotypes at the Taq1 ‘A’ and ‘B’ systems were determined in 70 subjects who underwent in vivo measurement of D2 receptors-binding potential with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and the selective dopamine D2 receptor radiotracer [123I]IBZM. [123I]IBZM-binding potential was identical in A1 carriers (ie, subjects heterozygous or homozygous for that allele) (230 ± 85 ml g−1, n = 27) and A1 noncarriers (231 ± 70 ml g−1, n = 43). Similarly, we found no effect of the B1 allele on [123I]IBZM-binding potential. In conclusion, the results of this study failed to replicate the previously reported association between A1 allele and lower D2 receptor expression.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Purchase on Springer Link

Instant access to full article PDF

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Laruelle, M., Gelernter, J. & Innis, R. D2 receptors binding potential is not affected by Taq1 polymorphism at the D2 receptor gene. Mol Psychiatry 3, 261–265 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000343

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000343

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links