Genetic Associations and Interactions Between the NR3C1 (GR) and NR3C2 (MR) Genes and Aggressive Behavior in a Central South Chinese Han Population.

Aims: The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) play important roles in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and stress regulation. The current study aimed to address the genetic association and gene-gene interactions between GR and MR gene polymorphisms and aggressive behavior. Methods: A haplotype-based, case-control study was designed to examine the association between human MR and GR genes and aggressive behaviors, including robbery and intentional interpersonal injury, in a central south Chinese Han population. Eight well-studied polymorphisms of the MR gene (rs2070951, rs2871, rs5522, and rs5525) and the GR gene (rs10482605, rs6190, rs1800445, and rs6196) were genotyped using SNaPshot. Results: The MR and GR gene polymorphisms were not associated with aggressive behaviors, including in robbery and intentional interpersonal injury subgroups (p>0.05). The frequency of haplotype TAAT of GR was significantly higher in the control group than that in the case group (p=0.004, p(adj)=0.02). In addition, a two-way interaction between GR rs1800445 and MR rs2070951 and aggressive behavior was also found (p=0.01). Conclusions: The haplotype TAAT of GR might be a protective factor against aggressive behavior, while gene-gene interactions between GR rs1800445 and MR rs2070951 might be a risk factor for aggressive behavior in the Central South Chinese Han population.