Association of the length polymorphism in the human Per3 gene with the delayed sleep-phase syndrome: does latitude have an influence upon it?

Abstract

Study objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of a previously reported hPer3 gene-length polymorphism in the delayed sleep-phase syndrome and in morningness-eveningness tendencies at low latitudes in the southern hemisphere.

Design: We have genotyped a length polymorphism in the hPer3 gene characterized by a short repeat allele (4-repeat) and a long repeat allele (5-repeat).

Participants: Seventeen patients with delayed sleep-phase syndrome; 156 volunteers chosen according to Horne-Ostberg questionnaire to have morning, intermediate, or evening preference; and 110 volunteers with no Horne-Ostberg score as a sample of the general population.

Results: We have found a higher frequency of 5-repeat allele in the delayed sleep-phase syndrome group and an association of this polymorphism with diurnal preference.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that latitude has a role in the influence of hPer3 gene polymorphism on delayed sleep-phase syndrome and confirm previous data showing its association with morningness-eveningness tendencies.