The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy
Oxytocin achieves its effects after binding the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Oxytocin plays an important role in empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the OXTR gene (rs53576 and rs2254298) on empathy measures and plasma oxytocin lev...
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doaj-c9098f64407043c08c341df683326fb92020-11-25T00:22:23ZengUniversity of Belgrade, University of Novi SadArchives of Biological Sciences0354-46641821-43392019-01-0171115916510.2298/ABS181206057B0354-46641800057BThe influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathyBašić Jelena0Milošević Vuk1Stanković Miloš2Jevtović-Stoimenov Tatjana3Cvetković Tatjana4Despotović Milena5Pavlović Dušica6Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, NišClinical Center Niš, Clinic of Neurology, NišHeidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Mannheim, Germany + Faculty of Philosophy, NišFaculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, NišFaculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, NišFaculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, NišFaculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, NišOxytocin achieves its effects after binding the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Oxytocin plays an important role in empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the OXTR gene (rs53576 and rs2254298) on empathy measures and plasma oxytocin levels. Seventy-four university students were screened for the OXTR rs53576 and rs2254298 SNPs using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The level of oxytocin in the plasma was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All subjects were assessed with the empathy quotient (EQ) questionnaire and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Subjects carrying the rs53576 GG genotype had a higher EQ score, compared to GA/AA genotype carriers. By gender analysis, significance was reached only in females. Considering the influence of both examined polymorphisms on empathy, participants with the GGGG diplotype had a higher EQ in comparison with GAGG/AAGG carriers. These hormone effects were not correlated with plasma oxytocin levels. This is the first study implying that higher empathy in rs53576 GG genotype carriers may not depend on plasma oxytocin levels, but possibly on the number and function of OXTRs in the brain. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41018]http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2019/0354-46641800057B.pdfempathyoxytocinoxytocin receptorrs53576 SNPrs2254298 SNP |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Bašić Jelena Milošević Vuk Stanković Miloš Jevtović-Stoimenov Tatjana Cvetković Tatjana Despotović Milena Pavlović Dušica |
spellingShingle |
Bašić Jelena Milošević Vuk Stanković Miloš Jevtović-Stoimenov Tatjana Cvetković Tatjana Despotović Milena Pavlović Dušica The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy Archives of Biological Sciences empathy oxytocin oxytocin receptor rs53576 SNP rs2254298 SNP |
author_facet |
Bašić Jelena Milošević Vuk Stanković Miloš Jevtović-Stoimenov Tatjana Cvetković Tatjana Despotović Milena Pavlović Dušica |
author_sort |
Bašić Jelena |
title |
The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
title_short |
The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
title_full |
The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
title_fullStr |
The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
title_full_unstemmed |
The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
title_sort |
influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy |
publisher |
University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad |
series |
Archives of Biological Sciences |
issn |
0354-4664 1821-4339 |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
Oxytocin achieves its effects after binding the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Oxytocin plays an important role in empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the OXTR gene (rs53576 and rs2254298) on empathy measures and plasma oxytocin levels. Seventy-four university students were screened for the OXTR rs53576 and rs2254298 SNPs using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The level of oxytocin in the plasma was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All subjects were assessed with the empathy quotient (EQ) questionnaire and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Subjects carrying the rs53576 GG genotype had a higher EQ score, compared to GA/AA genotype carriers. By gender analysis, significance was reached only in females. Considering the influence of both examined polymorphisms on empathy, participants with the GGGG diplotype had a higher EQ in comparison with GAGG/AAGG carriers. These hormone effects were not correlated with plasma oxytocin levels. This is the first study implying that higher empathy in rs53576 GG genotype carriers may not depend on plasma oxytocin levels, but possibly on the number and function of OXTRs in the brain. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and
Technological Development, Grant no. III41018] |
topic |
empathy oxytocin oxytocin receptor rs53576 SNP rs2254298 SNP |
url |
http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2019/0354-46641800057B.pdf |
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