Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the glutamate receptor subunit-7 (GluR7, GRIK 3) rs6691840 (Ser310Ala, T928G) in the pathogenesis of alcohol dependence (AD). Methods: DNA was provided from AD patients (n = 209) and healthy control subjects (n = 308) all of Polish descent. The history of alcoholism was obtained using the Polish version of the SSAGA (Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism). We conducted case-control association study and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). GRIK3 functional polymorphism was genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method. Results: Analyses revealed that polymorphism Ser310Ala of GRIK3 gene is not associated with AD or any of its subgroups. TDT reveled an adequate transmission of both alleles in the group of alcohol families. Conclusions: These findings replicate and extend our previous research results that do not support the hypothesis of the role of rs6691840 in the pathogenesis of AD.

Keywords:
Alcohol dependence, Transmission disequilibrium test, Case-control study, Kainate receptor, GRIK3 gene
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2012
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