Epigenetic Analysis of the Dopamine Transporter Gene DAT1 with a Focus on Personality Traits in Athletes

Abstract

Human phenotypes (traits) are determined by the selective use of a person’s unique genotype (DNA sequence), following exposure to environmental stimuli, such as exercise. Inducing profound changes in epigenetics may be an underlying factor of the beneficial effects of exercise. This study aimed to investigate the association between methylation in the promoter region of the DAT1 gene and personality traits measured by the NEO-FFI questionnaire in a group of athletes. The study group included 163 athletes, and the control group consisted of 232 non-athletes. The obtained results show several significant differences between the studied groups of subjects. The Extraversion scale and the Conscientiousness scale results of the NEO-FFI are significantly higher in the group of athletes compared to controls. The total methylation and the number of methylated islands in the promoter region of the DAT1 gene are higher in the study group. Pearson’s linear correlation between the total methylation, the number of methylated islands and the NEO-FFI shows significant results for the Extraversion and Agreeability scales. The total methylation and the number of methylated islands in the promoter region of the DAT1 gene are higher in the study group. Pearson’s linear correlation between the total methylation, the number of methylated islands and the NEO-FFI shows significant results for the Extraversion and Agreeability scales. Our analysis of the methylation status of individual CpG sites revealed a new direction of research into the biological aspects of regulating dopamine release and personality traits in people practicing sports.

Social setting interacts with hyper dopamine to boost the stimulant effect of ethanol

“…This is in line with the studies on human subjects reporting the impact of social drinking on euphoria and ethanol's stimulant effect being significantly greater in the individuals with extraversion personal trait 34 that is linked to high levels of dopaminergic activity. 35,36 The dopamine transporter mutant fmn was shown to have reduced, as opposed to increased, locomotor response to ethanol, 25 which is contrary to our defective in D1 receptor, d2r defective in D2 receptor, damb defective in D5 receptor, and der defective in DA/ecdysone receptor were exposed to ethanol in a single or group setting and their top speeds during exposure and 30 s prior to exposure (denoted as "no EtOH"; EtOH, ethanol) are shown. (A)-(D) the movement speeds in the absence of ethanol (single: light grey, group: dark grey) and the tops speeds during ethanol exposure of females (single: light purple, group: dark purple) and males (single: light blue, group: dark blue) were compared.…”

“…Dopamine neurotransmission is important for the stimulant effect of ethanol as well as social interaction in human subjects, 35,36,49 rodents, [50][51][52] and flies. [52][53][54][55] Alcohol drinking can occur in socially isolated or enriched environment, but how solitary versus social drinking impacts dopamine signalling is unknown.…”