A Relevant Role for Dopamine Transporter Gene in Highly Sensitive Persons under Stressful Conditions: Focus on Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation

Abstract

Coping with stress is essential for mental well-being and can be critical for highly sensitive persons, which constitute around 20 to 30% of the general population and are characterized by a deeper perception and processing of stimuli. At the molecular level, it is still not clear what induces a high sensitivity with gene × environment possibly playing a key role in making some people more susceptible than others. We here analyzed the genetic and epigenetic of dopamine (DAT1) and serotonin (SERT) transporter genes in young adults, subjects that might face more than others overwhelming experiences. An increase in DNA methylation at one specific CpG site at DAT 5’UTR has been observed in highly sensitive students reporting high levels of perceived stress when compared to those less sensitive and/or less stressed. Moreover, considering DAT1 VNTR at 3’UTR, this effect is even more clear in university students having the 9/9 genotype when compared to those with the 9/10 genotype. Corroborating these data, higher levels of miR-132, which is associated with DAT1, are reported in the same population when compared again with those reporting to be less stressed. No changes have been observed for SERT gene. We here suggest the genetic and epigenetic of DAT1 gene as possible biomarkers to be considered for mental health wellness in vulnerable subjects like highly sensitive students coping with high stress conditions.