[Association of several polymorphic loci of serotoninergic genes with unipolar depression].

Serotoninergic system is one of the major brain neurotransmitter systems that is involved in the development of depression disorders. Regulatory genes of this system are the principle candidate genes predisposing to unipolar depression. Using PCR-RFLP analysis, we have conducted a study of polymorphic loci of several genes of this system: C1019G of serotonin receptor 1A gene, (HTR1A); A438G of serotonin receptor 2A gene, (HTR2A); G861C of serotonin receptor 1B gene, (HTR1B); Stin2VNTR and 5-HTTLPR of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) in patients with unipolar depression among ethnic Tatars and Russians. The results of the study suggest that genotype 10/10 of the SLC6A4 gene as well as genotype G/G and allele G of the HTR2A gene can predispose for increased risk of unipolar depression development in ethnic Russians. In contrast, genotype 12/10 of the SLC6A4 gene is a marker of low risk of the disease development in both ethnic groups.