Influence of Two Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) on Empathy: the Mediation Role of a Primary Emotion, CARE

Sexual communication is a pivotal part of interpersonal relationships; recent research reveals associations between sexual communication and various relational outcomes. Within the broad domain of sexual communication, current scholarship specifically addresses the role of postsex communication in relationships and its links to physiological and genetic markers. Given these advancements, the present chapter offers an overview of research linking physiology, hormones, and genes to communication after sexual activity. The chapter first presents reviews of two key hormones in sexual communication research: testosterone (T) and oxytocin (O). The oxytocin receptor gene and its link to social behavior broadly, and sexual behavior specifically, is also explored. The chapter then offers a review of several theories relevant to understanding the hormonal underpinnings of sexual communication, as well as future directions for research exploring sexual communication and physiology.

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The role of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 and vitamin D receptor gene in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts as response to orthodontic compressive strain: an in vitro study

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01740-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Erika Calvano Küchler ◽

Agnes Schröder ◽

Vinicius Broska Teodoro ◽

Ute Nazet ◽

Rafaela Scariot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Periodontal Ligament ◽

Compressive Strain ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Cox 2

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate, if different physiological concentrations of vitamin D (25(OH)D3) and single nucleotide polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have an impact on gene expression in human periodontal ligament (hPDL) fibroblasts induced by simulated orthodontic compressive strain. Methods A pool of hPDL fibroblasts was treated in absence or presence of 25(OH)D3 in 3 different concentrations (10, 40 and 60 ng/ml). In order to evaluate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the VDR gene, hPDL fibroblasts from 9 patients were used and treated in absence or presence of 40 ng/ml 25(OH)D3. Each experiment was performed with and without simulated orthodontic compressive strain. Real-time PCR was used for gene expression and allelic discrimination analysis. Relative expression of dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), Sec23 homolog A, amidohydrolase domain containing 1 (AMDHD1), vitamin D 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1), Hydroxyvitamin D-1-α hydroxylase, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL6) was assessed. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms in VDR were genotyped. Parametric or non-parametric tests were used with an alpha of 5%. Results RANKL, RANKL:OPG ratio, COX-2, IL-6, DHCR7, CYP2R1 and AMDHD1 were differentially expressed during simulated orthodontic compressive strain (p < 0.05). The RANKL:OPG ratio was downregulated by all concentrations (10 ng/ml, 40 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml) of 25(OH)D3 (mean = 0.96 ± 0.68, mean = 1.61 ± 0.66 and mean = 1.86 ± 0.78, respectively) in comparison to the control (mean 2.58 ± 1.16) (p < 0.05). CYP2R1 gene expression was statistically modulated by the different 25(OH)D3 concentrations applied (p = 0.008). Samples from individuals carrying the GG genotype in rs739837 presented lower VDR mRNA expression and samples from individuals carrying the CC genotype in rs7975232 presented higher VDR mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Conclusions Simulated orthodontic compressive strain and physiological concentrations of 25(OH)D3 seem to regulate the expression of orthodontic tooth movement and vitamin-D-related genes in periodontal ligament fibroblasts in the context of orthodontic compressive strain. Our study also suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the VDR gene regulate VDR expression in periodontal ligament fibroblasts in the context of orthodontic compressive strain.

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Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the progesterone receptor gene and association with uterine leiomyoma tumor characteristics and disease risk

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/j.ajog.2008.06.015 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 199 (6) ◽

pp. 648.e1-648.e9 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stefan P. Renner ◽

Reiner Strick ◽

Peter A. Fasching ◽

Sonja Oeser ◽

Peter Oppelt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Uterine Leiomyoma ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Tumor Characteristics ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Progesterone Receptor Gene

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The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs181206057b ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 159-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jelena Basic ◽

Vuk Milosevic ◽

Milos Stankovic ◽

Tatjana Jevtovic-Stoimenov ◽

Tatjana Cvetkovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receptor Gene ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽

Hormone Effects ◽

Empathy Quotient ◽

Receptor Gene Polymorphisms ◽

Oxtr Rs53576 ◽

And Function

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.

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Clinical outcome of patients with follicular lymphoma receiving chemoimmunotherapy in the PRIMA study is not affected by FCGR3A and FCGR2A polymorphisms

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2012-05-431825 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (13) ◽

pp. 2650-2657 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Hervé Ghesquières ◽

Guillaume Cartron ◽

John Francis Seymour ◽

Marie-Hélène Delfau-Larue ◽

Fritz Offner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Follicular Lymphoma ◽

Response Rate ◽

Single Agent ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Free Survival ◽

Rituximab Maintenance

Abstract In patients with follicular lymphoma treated with single-agent rituximab, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FCGR3A gene are known to influence response and progression-free survival. The prognostic role of FCGR3A and FCGR2A polymorphisms in patients with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab and chemotherapy combination remains controversial and has not been evaluated in the context of rituximab maintenance. FCGR3A and FCGR2A single nucleotide polymorphisms were evaluated in, respectively, 460 and 455 patients treated in the PRIMA study to investigate whether these were associated with response rate and patient outcome after rituximab chemotherapy induction and 2-year rituximab maintenance. In this representative patient cohort, complete and unconfirmed complete responses after rituximab chemotherapy were observed in 65%, 67%, 66% (P = .86) and 60%, 72%, 66% (P = .21) of FCGR3A VV, VF, FF and FCGR2A HH, HR, RR carriers, respectively. After 2 years of rituximab maintenance (or observation), response rates did not differ among the different genotypes. Progression-free survival measured from either treatment initiation or randomization to observation or maintenance was not influenced by these polymorphisms. These data indicate that FCGR3A and FCGR2A polymorphisms do not influence response rate and outcome when rituximab is combined with chemotherapy or used as maintenance treatment. The PRIMA study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00140582.

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Causal Role of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms within themprFGene of Staphylococcus aureus in Daptomycin Resistance

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01184-13 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (11) ◽

pp. 5658-5664 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Soo-Jin Yang ◽

Nagendra N. Mishra ◽

Aileen Rubio ◽

Arnold S. Bayer

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Point Mutations ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Wild Type ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Content Type ◽

Reading Frame ◽

A Charge

ABSTRACTSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within themprFopen reading frame (ORF) have been commonly observed in daptomycin-resistant (DAPr)Staphylococcus aureusstrains. Such SNPs are usually associated with a gain-in-function phenotype, in terms of either increased synthesis or enhanced translocation (flipping) of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (L-PG). However, it is unclear if suchmprFSNPs are causal in DAPrstrains or are merely a biomarker for this phenotype. In this study, we used an isogenic set ofS. aureusstrains: (i) Newman, (ii) its isogenic ΔmprFmutant, and (iii) several intransplasmid complementation constructs, expressing either a wild-type or point-mutated form of themprFORF cloned from two isogenic DAP-susceptible (DAPs)-DAPrstrain pairs (616-701 and MRSA11/11-REF2145). Complementation of the ΔmprFstrain with singly point-mutatedmprFgenes (mprFS295LormprFT345A) revealed that (i) individual and distinct point mutations within themprFORF can recapitulate phenotypes observed in donor strains (i.e., changes in DAP MICs, positive surface charge, and cell membrane phospholipid profiles) and (ii) these gain-in-function SNPs (i.e., enhanced L-PG synthesis) likely promote reduced DAP binding toS. aureusby a charge repulsion mechanism. Thus, for these two DAPrstrains, the definedmprFSNPs appear to be causally related to this phenotype.

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Associations between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, Empathy towards Animals and Implicit Associations towards Animals

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani8080140 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 140 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Melanie Connor ◽

Alistair Lawrence ◽

Sarah Brown

Keyword(s):

Social Behaviour ◽

Allelic Variation ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Implicit Associations ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽

Receptor Gene Polymorphisms ◽

Human Social Behaviour

Oxytocin has been well researched in association with psychological variables and is widely accepted as a key modulator of human social behaviour. Previous work indicates involvement of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human-human empathy, however little is known about associations of OXTR SNPs with empathy and affective reactions of humans towards animals. Five OXTR SNPs previously found to associate with human social behaviour were genotyped in 161 students. Empathy towards animals and implicit associations were evaluated. A General Linear Model was used to investigate the OXTR alleles and allelic combinations along with socio-demographic variables and their influence on empathy towards animals. Empathy towards animals showed a significant association with OXTR SNP rs2254298; homozygous G individuals reported higher levels of empathy towards animals than heterozygous (GA). Our preliminary findings show, for the first time, that between allelic variation in OXTR and animal directed empathy in humans maybe associated, suggesting that OXTRs social behaviour role crosses species boundaries, warranting independent replication.

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