Published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, this study by the Spanish group of Rosa Fernández and Eduardo Pásaro analyzes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR, GRM family) in a transgender population, searching for variants associated with gender dysphoria.
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, and metabotropic receptors participate in synaptic plasticity, stress regulation and brain development. The starting hypothesis is that genetic variants in these receptors could modulate the neurobiological vulnerability associated with gender incongruence.
The researchers genotyped markers in various GRM genes and compared allele and genotype frequencies between transgender individuals and cisgender controls. The analyses, adjusted for confounding variables, explored associations in both transgender men and women and their relationship with glutamate signaling pathways and their interaction with steroid systems.
The results provide data on the distribution of these variants and point to preliminary associations that, nonetheless, require replication in larger independent cohorts. The authors interpret the findings in light of the interaction between neurotransmission systems and the sexual differentiation of the brain.
The work reinforces the idea that the genetic basis of gender dysphoria is polygenic and complex, and integrates glutamatergic signaling as an emerging candidate pathway within the neurobiological substrate of gender identity.
Bibliographic reference
Fernández R, et al. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the metabotropic glutamate receptors in a transgender population. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1382861.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1382861
PMID: 38919484
Publication consultation: the original reference can be consulted in open access or through the DOI indicated.
