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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2016 May 14;146-147:60–72. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.05.006

Table 1.

Genes studied in the epigenetics of anxiety

Gene Product Species Function
Avp Arginine Vasopressin Rodent Posterior pituitary hormone with role
in cognition, maternal
behavior, etc.
Bcl11a B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 11A Rodent Zinc finger protein involved in
neuroplasticity
Bdnf Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Rodent Growth factor involved in
neuroplasticity
Crh Corticotrophin releasing hormone Rodent Stress response hormone
Crhr1 Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 Rodent G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)
for corticotrophin
releasing hormone
Crybb1 Crystallin, beta B1 Rodent Mediates cellular homeostasis in
response to stressors
Egr1 Early growth response 1 Rodent Transcriptional regulator with role in
neuroplasticity
Fgf2 Fibroblast growth factor 2 Rodent Growth factor involved in
neuroplasticity
Fkbp5 FK506 binding protein 5 Rodent Interacts with corticoid receptor
complexes
Gad1 Glutamate decarboxylase 1 Rodent Synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid
from L-glutamic acid
GAD1 Human
Gadd45b Growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, beta Rodent Stress response by activation of the
p38/JNK pathway
Htr1a 5-HT1A receptor Rodent Inhibitory GPCR mediating
serotonin neurotransmission
Jag1 Jagged1 Rodent Cell surface receptor involved in
Notch signaling
Kap1 (Trim28) KRAB-associated protein 1 Rodent Transcriptional corepressor
(Tripartite motif containing 28)
MAOA Monoamine oxidase A Human Catalyzes oxidative deamination of
amines (e.g., serotonin,
dopamine, and norepinephrine)
Kmt2a Lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2A Rodent Regulates H3K4me3 activity
Nr3c1 Nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 Rodent Glucocorticoid receptor and
transcriptional activator
(glucocorticoid receptor)
Nr4a1 Nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1 Rodent Transcription factor involved in
neuroplasticity
(nerve growth factor IB)
Ntsr1 Neurotensin receptor 1 Rodent GPCR with role in hypertension,
thermal regulation,
antinociception, etc.
Oprm1 μ-opioid receptor Rodent GPCR receptor for opioids and is
involved in analgesia, reward,
emotions, stress, etc.
OXTR Oxytocin receptor Human GPCR with role in attachment and
lactation
Peg3 Paternally-expressed 3 Rodent Imprinted transcription factor gene
involved in fetal growth
and
nurturing behaviors
Pomc Proopiomelanocortin Rodent Precursor of peptides involved in
steroidogenesis, stress,
energy homeostasis, immune
modulation, etc.
Rln Reelin Rodent Glycoprotein with role in synaptic
plasticity and
neuronal migration
SLC6A4 Solute carrier family 6, member 4 Human Transports serotonin from synaptic
cleft into
Slc6a4 (serotonin transporter, 5-HTT) Rodent presynaptic neuron
SLC6A2 Solute carrier family 6, member 2 Human Transports norepinephrine from
synaptic cleft into
(norepinephrine transporter, NET)
presynaptic neuron
Syn1 Synapsin I Rodent Neuronal phosphoprotein on
cytoplasmic surface of synaptic
vesicles that may modulate
neurotransmitter release
Mkrn3 Makorin ring finger protein 3 Rodent Paternally imprinted gene encoding a
putative
ribonucleoprotein
Pcdhb6 Protocadherin beta 6 Rodent Integral plasma membrane proteins
with role in determining
neural connections