Aggression and polymorphisms in AR, DAT1, DRD2 and COMT genes in Datoga pastoralists of Tanzania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between polymorphisms in four candidate genes (AR, DAT1, DRD2, and COMT) and aggression in men from a traditional society of East African pastoralists, the Datoga. Buss and Perry's Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure aggression. The number of CAG repeats in the AR gene was negatively correlated with physical aggression, anger, and hostility. Among the genes of the dopaminergic system, a significant single-gene effect was detected only for DRD2 with regard to anger. At the level of a two-gene model, a significant effect for DRD2 and a tendency for DAT1 were observed for the DAT1-DRD2 gene pair regarding hostility, and two tendencies were observed for the interaction effect of the DAT1-COMT pair regarding anger and hostility. These data suggest a probable link between physical aggression and direct fitness caused by strong sexual selection in Datoga men.