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Differential impact of cumulative SES risk on methylation of protein–protein interaction pathways as a function of SLC6A4 genetic variation in African American young adults
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Differential impact of cumulative SES risk on methylation of protein–protein interaction pathways as a function of SLC6A4 genetic variation in African American young adults

Steven R.H Beach, Meeshanthini V Dogan, Gene H Brody and Robert A Philibert
Biological psychology, Vol.96(1), pp.28-34
02/2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.10.006
PMCID: PMC3946695
PMID: 24192273

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Abstract

•Genetic and epigenetic materials were obtained from 388 African Americans.•The impact of 5HTT and early SES stress on methylation was examined.•We used protein–protein interaction libraries to characterize methylation patterns.•Results explicate the developmental impact of exposure to early cumulative SES risk.•This approach provides a window on the likely functional impact of observed patterns.\nExposure to cumulative SES risk in childhood may interact with variability at the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) to alter DNA methylation across interacting sets of proteins. DNA was obtained from 388 African Americans at age 19. Genotype at the 5HTTLPR was determined, and methylation ratios for C-phosphate-G (CpG) residues were assessed. Exposure to cumulative SES risk was determined using repeated parental reports at ages 11–13. At high SES risk, CpG methylation patterns indicated altered cellular stress response in women, but not men, who carried a short allele at the 5HTTLPR. These changes in methylation patterns may lead to increases in mental and physical health risks. No genotype effect emerged for either women or men at low SES risk. Methylation patterns provide guidance in identifying pathways by which genetic susceptibility is transformed into adverse outcomes years later.
Gene × environment interaction Resources 5HTTLPR Health Susceptibility

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