Search for associations of carrying different variants of the COMT gene with manifestations of some personality traits and success in business

Abstract

In recent time, differences in manifestations of some personality traits have been associated with single nucleotide substitutions in genes, polymorphisms. Specifically, the Met/Met genotype of Val158Met polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is associated with higher ability to learn and be satisfied with life and reduced ability to cope with stress and anxiety as compared with the Val/Val genotype. Therefore, carriage of a certain genotype might influence success of a person in his/her activity. To test this hypothesis, 91 people success fully engaged in the same kind of activity, business, underwent psychological and genetic tests. The Mini-Mult (MMPI), TAS-20, and SWLS psychological tests did not detect any significant differences between Val/Val and Val/Met genotype carriers in levels of anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal communication, ability to express their feelings, and life satisfaction. However, the differences between the Val/Val and Met/Met genotype frequencies in businessmen and other populations (1.5 times higher and 25 times lower, respectively) suggested that a successful career in business might be related with a definite genotype. Significant life success as a beneficial environmental factor might neutralize via epigenetic regulation manifestations of congenital depressive personality traints associated with the Val/Val genotype.