Genetic variation CHRNA7 promoter variant rs28531779 (194C) and nicotine dependence; effect of molecular structure change

Abstract

Nicotine dependence is a common substance dependence that can be seen worldwide. The genetic factor underlying this medical dependence is widely studied. Of several genetic components, the CHRNA7 promoter variant rs28531779 (194 C) is observed for the relationship with magnitude of nicotine dependence. To assess the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of CHRNA7 promoter variant rs28531779 (194 C), the molecular structure was assessed and the quantum calculation was done to compare the molecular weight between naïve and variant. The further effect on the final phenotypic manifestation, the dependence, was also simulated.  According to the molecular structure analysis, the significant change of the molecular weight of CHRNA7 promoter variant can be observed and it is related to the further change of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor cholinergic neurotransmission biological process. The molecular change due to the variant rs28531779 (194 C) is well observed and it is clarified for the effect on the phenotypic manifestation, the degree of nicotine dependence.