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de Zavalia N, Ferraro S, Amir S. Sexually dimorphic role of circadian clock genes in alcohol drinking behavior. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:431-440. [PMID: 36184679 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in alcohol use and abuse are pervasive and carry important implications for the prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), yet insight into underlying sexually dimorphic mechanisms is limited. Growing experimental and clinical evidence points to an important influence of circadian rhythms and circadian clock genes in the control of alcohol drinking behavior and AUD. Sex differences in the expression of circadian rhythms and in the molecular circadian clock that drive these rhythms have been reported in humans and animals. While studying the role of striatal circadian clock gene expression in the control of affective and goal-directed behaviors, we uncovered a novel sexually dimorphic function of the clock genes Bmal1 and Per2 in the control of voluntary alcohol consumption in mice, which may contribute to sex differences in alcohol drinking behavior. In this mini review, we briefly discuss relevant literature on AUD, circadian rhythms and clock genes, and on sex differences in these domains, and describe our own findings on clock genes as sexually dimorphic regulators of alcohol drinking behavior in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria de Zavalia
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Ferraro
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shimon Amir
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Rizk AA, Jenkins BW, Al-Sabagh Y, Hamidullah S, Reitz CJ, Rasouli M, Martino TA, Khokhar JY. The Impact of Sex, Circadian Disruption, and the ClockΔ19/Δ19 Genotype on Alcohol Drinking in Mice. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040701. [PMID: 35456507 PMCID: PMC9031797 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Shift work is associated with increased alcohol drinking, more so in males than females, and is thought to be a coping mechanism for disrupted sleep cycles. However, little is presently known about the causal influence of circadian rhythm disruptions on sex differences in alcohol consumption. In this study, we disrupted circadian rhythms in female and male mice using both environmental (i.e., shifting diurnal cycles) and genetic (i.e., ClockΔ19/Δ19 mutation) manipulations, and measured changes in alcohol consumption and preference using a two-bottle choice paradigm. Alcohol consumption and preference, as well as food and water consumption, total caloric intake, and weight were assessed in adult female and male ClockΔ19/Δ19 mutant mice or wild-type (WT) litter-mates, housed under a 12-hour:12-hour light:dark (L:D) cycle or a shortened 10-hour:10-hour L:D cycle. Female WT mice (under both light cycles) increased their alcohol consumption and preference over time, a pattern not observed in male WT mice. Compared to WT mice, ClockΔ19/Δ19 mice displayed increased alcohol consumption and preference. Sex differences were not apparent in ClockΔ19/Δ19 mice, with or without shifting diurnal cycles. In conclusion, sex differences in alcohol consumption patterns are evident and increase with prolonged access to alcohol. Disrupting circadian rhythms by mutating the Clock gene greatly increases alcohol consumption and abolishes sex differences present in WT animals.
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Hühne A, Echtler L, Kling C, Stephan M, Schmidt MV, Rossner MJ, Landgraf D. Circadian gene × environment perturbations influence alcohol drinking in Cryptochrome-deficient mice. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13105. [PMID: 34672045 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread addiction disorder with severe consequences for health. AUD patients often suffer from sleep disturbances and irregular daily patterns. Conversely, disruptions of circadian rhythms are considered a risk factor for AUD and alcohol relapses. In this study, we investigated the extent to which circadian genetic and environmental disruptions and their interaction alter alcohol drinking behaviour in mice. As a model of genetic circadian disruption, we used Cryptochrome1/2-deficient (Cry1/2-/- ) mice with strongly suppressed circadian rhythms and found that they exhibit significantly reduced preference for alcohol but increased incentive motivation to obtain it. Similarly, we found that low circadian SCN amplitude correlates with reduced alcohol preference in WT mice. Moreover, we show that the low alcohol preference of Cry1/2-/- mice concurs with high corticosterone and low levels of the orexin precursor prepro-orexin and that WT and Cry1/2-/- mice respond differently to alcohol withdrawal. As a model of environmentally induced disruption of circadian rhythms, we exposed mice to a "shift work" light/dark regimen, which also leads to a reduction in their alcohol preference. Interestingly, this effect is even more pronounced when genetic and environmental circadian perturbations interact in Cry1/2-/- mice under "shift work" conditions. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that in mice, disturbances in circadian rhythms have pronounced effects on alcohol consumption as well as on physiological factors and other behaviours associated with AUD and that the interaction between circadian genetic and environmental disturbances further alters alcohol consumption behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisja Hühne
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- Munich Medical Research School Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Lisa Echtler
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- Munich Medical Research School Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Charlotte Kling
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS‐ TP) Munich Germany
| | - Marius Stephan
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS‐ TP) Munich Germany
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Mathias V. Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich Germany
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Dominic Landgraf
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
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Hartmann MC, McCulley WD, Johnson ST, Salisbury CS, Vaidya N, Smith CG, Hattar S, Rosenwasser AM. Photic Regulation of Circadian Rhythms and Voluntary Ethanol Intake: Role of Melanopsin-expressing Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells. J Biol Rhythms 2020; 36:146-159. [PMID: 33357136 DOI: 10.1177/0748730420981228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
"Non-image-forming" (NIF) effects of light are mediated primarily by a subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) expressing the photopigment, melanopsin (OPN4). These NIF functions include circadian entrainment, pupillary reflexes, and photic effects on sleep, mood, and cognition. We recently reported that mice of multiple genotypes exhibit reduced voluntary ethanol intake under both constant darkness (DD) and constant light (LL) relative to standard light-dark (LD) conditions. In the present study, we sought to determine whether these effects are mediated by melanopsin-expressing ipRGCs and their potential relationship to photic effects on the circadian system. To this end, we examined the effects of environmental lighting regimen on both ethanol intake and circadian activity rhythms in a genetically engineered mouse model (Opn4aDTA/aDTA) in which melanopsin expression is completely blocked while ipRGCs are progressively ablated due to activation of attenuated diphtheria toxin A (aDTA) transgene under the control of the Opn4 promoter. As expected from previous studies, Opn4aDTA/aDTA mice displayed dramatic attenuation of circadian photosensitivity, but surprisingly, showed identical suppression of ethanol intake under both DD and LL as that seen in controls. These results demonstrate that the effects of lighting regimen on voluntary ethanol intake are independent of melanopsin-expressing ipRGCs and ipRGC-mediated photic effects on the circadian system. Rather, these effects are likely mediated by classical retinal photoreceptors and central pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Hartmann
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- Department of Psychology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
| | | | | | | | - Nikhil Vaidya
- School of Biology and Ecology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
| | - Caitlin G Smith
- Department of Psychology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- School of Biology and Ecology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
| | - Samer Hattar
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alan M Rosenwasser
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- Department of Psychology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
- School of Biology and Ecology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
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Liu L, Luo T, Dong H, Zhang C, Liu T, Zhang X, Hao W. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis in Male Methamphetamine Users With Different Addiction Qualities. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:588229. [PMID: 33192735 PMCID: PMC7645035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.588229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to explore the genome-wide DNA methylation status of methamphetamine (MA) abusers with different qualities to addiction and to identify differentially methylated candidate genes. A total of 207 male MA abusers with an MA abuse frequency of ≥10 times and an MA abuse duration of ≥1 year were assigned to the high MA addiction quality group (HMAQ group; 168 subjects who met the diagnostic criteria for MA dependence according to the DSM-IV) or to the low MA addictive quality group (LMAQ group; 39 subjects who did not meet the criteria for MA dependence). In addition 105 healthy controls were recruited. Eight HMAQ subjects, eight LMAQ subjects, and eight healthy controls underwent genome-wide DNA methylation scans with an Infinium Human Methylation 450 array (Illumina). The differentially methylated region (DMR) data were entered into pathway analysis, and the differentially methylated position (DMP) data were screened for candidate genes and verified by MethyLight qPCR with all samples. Seven specific pathways with an abnormal methylation status were identified, including the circadian entrainment, cholinergic synapse, glutamatergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, GABAergic synapse, morphine addiction and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. SLC1A6, BHLHB9, LYNX1, CAV2, and PCSK9 showed differences in their methylation levels in the three groups. Only the number of methylated copies of CAV2 was significantly higher in the LMAQ group than in the HMAQ group. Our findings suggest that the circadian entrainment pathway and the caveolin-2 gene may play key roles in MA addiction quality. Further studies on their functions and mechanisms will help us to better understand the pathogenesis of MA addiction and to explore new targets for drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Clinic Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huixi Dong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tieqiao Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Hao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
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