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Liu Y, Koo JS, Zhang H. Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure-induced m6A modifications around mRNA stop codons of opioid receptor genes. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2294515. [PMID: 38118075 PMCID: PMC10761033 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2294515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol consumption may alter mRNA methylation and expression levels of genes related to addiction and reward in the brain, potentially contributing to alcohol tolerance and dependence. Neuron-like (SH-SY5Y) and non-neuronal (SW620) cells were utilized as models to examine chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure-induced global m6A RNA methylation changes, as well as m6A mRNA methylation changes around the stop codon of three opioid receptor genes (OPRM1, OPRD1, and OPRK1), which are known to regulate pain, reward, and addiction behaviours. CIE exposure for three weeks significantly increased global RNA methylation levels in both SH-SY5Y (t = 3.98, P = 0.007) and SW620 (t = 2.24, P = 0.067) cells. However, a 3-week CIE exposure resulted in hypomethylation around mRNA stop codon regions of OPRM1 and OPRD1 in both cell lines [OPRM1(SH-SY5Y): t = -5.05, P = 0.0005; OPRM1(SW620): t = -3.19, P = 0.013; OPRD1(SH-SY5Y): t = -13.43, P < 0.00001; OPRD1(SW620): t = -4.00, P = 0.003]. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of OPRM1, OPRD1, and OPRK1 were downregulated (corresponding to mRNA hypomethylation) in both SH-SY5Y and SW620 cells after a 3-week CIE exposure. The present study demonstrated that chronic ethanol exposure altered global RNA methylation levels, as well as mRNA methylation and expression levels of opioid receptor genes in both neuron-like and non-neuronal cells. Our findings suggest a potential epitranscriptomic mechanism by which chronic alcohol consumption remodels the expression of reward-related and alcohol responsive genes in the brain, thus increasing the risk of alcohol use disorder development.Abbreviations: OPRM1: the μ-opioid receptor; OPRD1: the δ-opioid receptor; OPRK1: the κ-opioid receptor; CIE: chronic intermittent ethanol exposure; CIE+WD: chronic intermittent ethanol exposure followed by a 24-hr withdrawal; SH-SY5Y: human neuroblastoma cell Line; SW620: human colon carcinoma cell line; RT-qPCR: reverse transcription followed by quantitative polymerase reaction; MazF-RT-qPCR: MazF digestion followed by RT-qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Ji Sun Koo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Brandt HB, Sinning S, Hasselstrøm JB, Andersen CU. A review of possible biomarkers for opioid tolerance. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 363:112187. [PMID: 39154523 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112187] [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] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Knowledge of opioid tolerance in a deceased person is important for distinguishing between therapeutic and toxic opioid concentrations for that particular individual when interpreting postmortem toxicological results. However, no biomarkers for opioid tolerance are currently available. This review aimed to study the existing literature on mechanisms or changes in signaling pathways related to chronic opioid use, which could be relevant for further studies to identify biomarkers for opioid tolerance. We performed a systematic literature search using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines using the MeSH terms "opioid tolerance AND biomarkers" in PubMed, Embase, WebofScience, and the Cochrane library. A review of the search results yielded seven studies on animal models or humans, identifying and evaluating thirteen possible biomarkers in terms of specificity for changes induced by opioids and other aspects to be considered as potential biomarkers. We evaluated nine potential biomarkers as unlikely to be specific for opioid tolerance, and one had contradictory results in terms of upregulation or downregulation. However, methylation of the promoter region of the μ-opioid receptor gene, increased activity of soluble puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase, altered miRNA profile, or other multiple component profiling may be interesting to study further as biomarkers for opioid tolerance in forensic postmortem cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
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Ben David G, Amir Y, Salalha R, Sharvit L, Richter-Levin G, Atzmon G. Can Epigenetics Predict Drug Efficiency in Mental Disorders? Cells 2023; 12:1173. [PMID: 37190082 PMCID: PMC10136455 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081173] [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] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders affect millions of individuals and their families worldwide, and the costs to society are substantial and are expected to rise due to a lack of effective treatments. Personalized medicine-customized treatment tailored to the individual-offers a solution. Although most mental diseases are influenced by genetic and environmental factors, finding genetic biomarkers that predict treatment efficacy has been challenging. This review highlights the potential of epigenetics as a tool for predicting treatment efficacy and personalizing medicine for psychiatric disorders. We examine previous studies that have attempted to predict treatment efficacy through epigenetics, provide an experimental model, and note the potential challenges at each stage. While the field is still in its infancy, epigenetics holds promise as a predictive tool by examining individual patients' epigenetic profiles in conjunction with other indicators. However, further research is needed, including additional studies, replication, validation, and application beyond clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Ben David
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Yam Amir
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
| | - Randa Salalha
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Lital Sharvit
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Gil Atzmon
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
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Domi E, Barchiesi R, Barbier E. Epigenetic Dysregulation in Alcohol-Associated Behaviors: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 36717533 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over intake and drinking despite harmful consequences. At a molecular level, AUD is associated with long-term neuroadaptations in key brain regions that are involved in reward processing and decision-making. Over the last decades, a great effort has been made to understand the neurobiological basis underlying AUD. Epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as an important mechanism in the regulation of long-term alcohol-induced gene expression changes. Here, we review the literature supporting a role for epigenetic processes in AUD. We particularly focused on the three most studied epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, Histone modification and non-coding RNAs. Clinical studies indicate an association between AUD and DNA methylation both at the gene and global levels. Using behavioral paradigms that mimic some of the characteristics of AUD, preclinical studies demonstrate that changes in epigenetic mechanisms can functionally impact alcohol-associated behaviors. While many studies support a therapeutic potential for targeting epigenetic enzymes, more research is needed to fully understand their role in AUD. Identification of brain circuits underlying alcohol-associated behaviors has made major advances in recent years. However, there are very few studies that investigate how epigenetic mechanisms can affect these circuits or impact the neuronal ensembles that promote alcohol-associated behaviors. Studies that focus on the role of circuit-specific and cell-specific epigenetic changes for clinically relevant alcohol behaviors may provide new insights on the functional role of epigenetic processes in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esi Domi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Barchiesi
- Department of Neuroscience, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Liu Y, Zhang H. RNA m6A Modification Changes in Postmortem Nucleus Accumbens of Subjects with Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:958. [PMID: 35741720 PMCID: PMC9222907 DOI: 10.3390/genes13060958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain structure mediating the rewarding effect of alcohol and drug abuse. Chronic alcohol consumption may alter RNA methylome (or epitranscriptome) in the NAc, leading to altered gene expression and thus behavioral neuroadaptation to alcohol. METHODS This pilot study profiled the epitranscriptomes of mRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) in postmortem NAc of three male Caucasian subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and three matched male Caucasian control subjects using Arraystar's m6A-mRNA&lncRNA Epitranscriptomic Microarray assay. Differentially methylated (DM) RNAs and the function of DM RNAs were analyzed by biostatistics and bioinformatics programs. RESULTS 26 mRNAs were hypermethylated and three mRNAs were hypomethylated in the NAc of AUD subjects (≥2-fold changes and p ≤ 0.05). Most of these 29 DM mRNAs are involved in immune-related pathways (e.g., IL-17 signaling). Moreover, four lncRNAs were hypermethylated and one lncRNA was hypomethylated in the NAc of AUD subjects (≥2-fold changes and p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, three miRNAs were hypermethylated in the NAc of AUD subjects (≥2-fold changes and p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed RNA methylomic changes in the NAc of AUD subjects, suggesting that chronic alcohol consumption may lead to AUD through epitranscriptomic RNA modifications. Our findings need to be replicated in a larger sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-third consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2020 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Epigenetic moderators of naltrexone efficacy in reducing heavy drinking in Alcohol Use Disorder: a randomized trial. THE PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL 2022; 22:1-8. [PMID: 34381173 PMCID: PMC8799481 DOI: 10.1038/s41397-021-00250-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in genes associated with opioid signaling and dopamine reuptake and inactivation may moderate naltrexone efficacy in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), but the effects of epigenetic modification of these genes on naltrexone response are largely unexplored. This study tested interactions between methylation in the μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1), dopamine transporter (SLC6A3), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes as predictors of naltrexone effects on heavy drinking in a 16-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial among 145 treatment-seeking AUD patients. OPRM1 methylation interacted with both SLC6A3 and COMT methylation to moderate naltrexone efficacy, such that naltrexone-treated individuals with lower methylation of the OPRM1 promoter and the SLC6A3 promoter (p = 0.006), COMT promoter (p = 0.005), or SLC6A3 3' untranslated region (p = 0.004), relative to placebo and to those with higher OPRM1 and SLC6A3 or COMT methylation, had significantly fewer heavy drinking days. Epigenetic modification of opioid- and dopamine-related genes may represent a novel pharmacoepigenetic predictor of naltrexone efficacy in AUD.
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Cuitavi J, Hipólito L, Canals M. The Life Cycle of the Mu-Opioid Receptor. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 46:315-328. [PMID: 33127216 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors (ORs) are undisputed targets for the treatment of pain. Unfortunately, targeting these receptors therapeutically poses significant challenges including addiction, dependence, tolerance, and the appearance of side effects, such as respiratory depression and constipation. Moreover, misuse of prescription and illicit narcotics has resulted in the current opioid crisis. The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is the cellular mediator of the effects of most commonly used opioids, and is a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) where new pharmacological, signalling and cell biology concepts have been coined. This review summarises the knowledge of the life cycle of this therapeutic target, including its biogenesis, trafficking to and from the plasma membrane, and how the regulation of these processes impacts its function and is related to pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cuitavi
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Lucía Hipólito
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, the Midlands, UK.
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