Comparative analysis of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SLC6A4 gene in Russian and Yakut populations

The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the SLC6A4 gene plays a key role in the regulation of serotonergic transmission and may influence susceptibility to anxiety and depressive disorders. This study presents a comparative analysis of the distribution of genotypes and alleles of this polymorphism in representatives of the Russian (n = 250) and Yakut (n = 260) ethnic groups. A significantly higher prevalence of the S allele (77.7%) and the homozygous SS genotype (63.8%) was observed in the Yakut population compared to the Russian group (44.8% and 20.8%, respectively; p < 0.001). The Russian sample was characterized by a higher frequency of the L allele and the SL genotype. The identified differences reflect the high frequency of the S allele characteristic of the Indigenous peoples of Siberia and underscore the ethnic specificity of genetic factors involved in psycho-emotional regulation.