Social Factors Influencing Gene Expression

DNA gives cells the potential for specific behavior, but this potential will only be realized if the gene is expressed. A gene is expressed if the DNA is transcribed into RNA and then converted into a protein. These proteins can have many different effects on the cell, such as metabolism or neurotransmission. We are now able to tell which specific genes are expressed at a particular time. Gene expression is uncommon, however, with no transcription and only the potential for a behavior as a result. It is now understood that social factors can influence gene expression. One of the first relationships looked at was that of social stress and isolation and how they relate to the onset and progression of disease, particularly viruses. One of the earliest studies looked at white blood cells from healthy older adults who differed in their feelings of social connectedness. Genes supporting inflammation were up-regulated, genes involved in the response to viral infections were down-regulated, and genes involved in the production of antibodies were down-regulated. This explains why lonely people are more susceptible to inflammation-driven cardiovascular diseases and have poorer responses to viral infections. Until recently, it was unknown why the glucocorticoid receptors were …show more content…
For example, social stress increases nerve growth factor gene expression, which increases the growth of sympathetic nervous system neural fibers in the lymph node tissues that structure immune responses. At a later time, when stress is experienced again, more neurotransmitters will be released in the lymph nodes because of the increased number of neural fibers, which is a direct consequence of the social factor stress from the earlier time. The immune system responds more poorly to a viral infection as a result. This is just one example of how the environment is a crucial part of our gene expression and resulting