3′-UTR polymorphism of dopamine transporter gene in Hadza and Datoga males

A study of VNTR polymorphism and molecular structure of 3′-UTR of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1/SLC6A3) was performed in the Hadza and Datoga males. It was shown that Hadza and Datoga differed in allele and genotype frequencies. Allele with 9 repeats in 3′-UTR, as well as the DAT1 homozygous genotype 9/9, is more common in the Hadza. The allele with ten repeats, as well as the homozygous phenotype 10/10, is more common in the Datoga. Molecular structure of DAT1 alleles with 3, 8, and 12 repeats was determined for the first time. In addition, it was found that the DAT1 allele with 11 repeats in the Datoga significantly differed in the type and arrangement of repeats from those previously described in other populations. We suggest that variations in the repeats number and type in the 3′-UTR of allelic variants may affect the dopamine transporter gene function.