Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase Gene Family in Soybean

Soybean is one of the most important legumes, providing high-quality protein for humans. The caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has previously been demonstrated to be a critical gene that regulates lignin production in plant cell walls and plays an important function in plant growth and development. However, the COMT gene family has not been studied in soybeans. In this study, 55 COMT family genes in soybean were identified by phylogenetic analysis and divided into two groups, I and II. The analysis of conserved domains showed that all GmCOMTs genes contained Methyltransferase-2 domains. Further prediction of cis-acting elements showed that GmCOMTs genes were associated with growth, light, stress, and hormonal responses. Eventually, based on the genomic data of soybean under different stresses, the results showed that the expression of GmCOMTs genes was different under different stresses, such as salt and drought stress. This study has identified and characterized the COMT gene family in soybean, which provides an important theoretical basis for further research on the biological functions of COMT genes and promotes revealing the role of GmCOMTs genes under stress resistance.

Schoolchildren’s autobiographical memory: COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism effects on emotional content and quality of first memories

Autobiographical memory is a cognitive function strongly related to emotional processing as autobiographical memory often includes emotional content. The COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism is associated with both cognitive and emotional processing. COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism effects on the emotional content and quality of Estonian schoolchildren’s first autobiographical memories were investigated in the present study. In addition, gender effects were considered and the emotional valence of the first memory was taken into account. Schoolchildren’s (N = 234) first memories were coded for valence, emotion words, specificity, and details. Girls were more likely to provide specific memories and recollections with an emotional valence than boys were. Children described memories with a positive or a negative valence in more detail than neutral memories. Interactions between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and gender and valence of the events were detected: Val/Met heterozygotes provided fewer details for emotional events; Val/Met heterozygote boys reported fewer details for their first memories than Val/Met heterozygote girls did; Met/Met homozygote children provided fewer evaluative details for emotional events.

Role of COMT V158M Polymorphism in the Development of Dystonia after Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs

Antipsychotics (APDs) represent the main pharmacological strategy in the treatment of schizophrenia; however, their administration often may result in severe adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal symptoms. Typically, dystonic movements are considered the result of impaired function and/or abnormalities of dopaminergic neurotransmission/signaling in the basal ganglia. The catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is located within the 22q11.2 region, and its product is an enzyme involved in transferring a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to catecholamines, including dopamine. Studies showed that COMT Val158Met polymorphism modifies enzymatic activity and, consequently, synaptic dopamine concentration in specific brain areas. We identified a patient with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome presenting with cervical and trunk dystonia after paliperidone administration, which persisted even after drug discontinuation. Given the patient’s genetic condition, we hypothesized that the dopaminergic dysfunction had been aggravated by COMT involvement, thus causing dystonia. In line with this hypothesis, we carried out a study on psychiatric patients in chronic treatment with APD to evaluate the distribution of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and its role in the onset of adverse extrapyramidal symptoms. The study included four patients with dystonia after administration of APDs compared to 17 patients who never presented adverse drug reactions. Our data suggest that the Val/Val and Met/Met polymorphisms of the COMT gene are associated with a protective effect for the development of collateral extrapyramidal symptoms in patients treated with APDs, while the Val/Met genotype could be considered a risk factor for the development of dystonia after APDs administration.

8 Variations in COMT Gene Are Not Associated with Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Multicenter Collaborative Proof of Concept Study

Introduction Variant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene have previously been associated with pain thresholds, resiliency, and cognitive functioning. Known colloquially as the “warrior/worrier” gene, the GG variant is associated with higher resilience whereas the AA variant is associated with lower resilience. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of correlating a genomic data repository with multicenter national longitudinal burn data. Methods From August 2018 to July 2020, participant cheek swabs were collected in-person or by mail at three burn centers and sent to the lead center for DNA isolation and storage. COMT SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SNP data were merged with a multicenter burn database. Outcomes of interest included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Veterans RAND 12 (VR-12) physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) measure, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Follow-up data were obtained at 6 months post-discharge. We used a Kruskal-Wallis test to determine associations between COMT SNPs and outcomes. Results Of the 126 cheek swabs obtained, DNA was successfully isolated from 124 swabs, and PCR SNP analysis was successful for 111 swabs. The distribution of COMT SNPs in our study population was consistent with the general population. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed no association between COMT SNPs and patient outcomes. Median PTGI scores trended toward significance, but in the opposite direction than predicted for COMT genotypes. Conclusions A national longitudinal database can be feasibly supplemented by a genomic data repository. Variation in the COMT gene did not correlate with health-related quality of life measures examined in a small cohort of burn survivors. Lack of statistical significance can be attributed to small sample size.

The Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Male Adolescents: The Moderating Roles of the Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) Gene and the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene

(1) Background: Numerous studies suggest strong associations between childhood maltreatment and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI); this is also true for the roles of dopaminergic genes in the etiology of some psychopathologies related to NSSI. Investigating the interactions of environments and genes is important in order to better understand the etiology of NSSI. (2) Methods: Within a sample of 269 Chinese male adolescents (Mage = 14.72, SD = 0.92), childhood maltreatment and NSSI were evaluated, and saliva samples were collected for MAOA T941G and COMT Val158Met polymorphism analyses. (3) Results: The results revealed no primary effects attributable to MAOA T941G and COMT Val158Met polymorphism on NSSI. However, there was a significant three-way interaction between MAOA, COMT, and child abuse (β = −0.34, p < 0.01) in adolescent NSSI. Except for carriers of the T allele of MAOA and the Met allele of COMT, all studied male adolescents displayed higher NSSI scores when exposed to a higher level of child abuse. A similar three-way interaction was not observed in the case of child neglect. (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that the MAOA gene and COMT gene play moderating roles in the association between child abuse and NSSI of male adolescents and suggest the polygenic underpinnings of NSSI.