1
|
Jalaiei A, Asadi MR, Daneshmandpour Y, Rezazadeh M, Ghafouri-Fard S. Clinical, molecular, physiologic, and therapeutic feature of patients with CHRNA4 and CHRNB2 deficiency: A systematic review. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 39193833 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The α4β2 nAChRs are crucial ion channels that control neurotransmitter release and play a role in various physiologic and pathologic processes. CHRNA4 encodes the α4-nAChRs, while CHRNB2 encodes the β2-nAChRs. Recent studies have found different variants of α4β2-nAChRs in individuals with conditions such as AD, ADHD, ALS, PD, and brain abnormalities. We conducted a scoping review following a six-stage methodology structure and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. We systematically reviewed articles using relevant keywords up to October 2, 2023. In this summary, we cover the clinical symptoms reported, the genes and protein structure of CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, mutations in these genes, inheritance patterns, the functional impact of mutations and polymorphisms in CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, and the epidemiology of these diseases. Recent research indicates that nAChRs may play a significant role in neurodegenerative disorders, possibly impacting neuronal function through yet undiscovered regulatory pathways. Studying how nAChRs interact with disease-related aggregates in neurodegenerative conditions may lead to new treatment options for these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Jalaiei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Asadi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Daneshmandpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Rezazadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kamens HM, Flarend G, Horton WJ. The role of nicotinic receptors in alcohol consumption. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106705. [PMID: 36813094 PMCID: PMC10083870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Geneva Flarend
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - William J Horton
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hauser SR, Rodd ZA, Deehan GA, Liang T, Rahman S, Bell RL. Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 160:175-221. [PMID: 34696873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Z A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - G A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Miller CN, Kamens HM. The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in alcohol-related behaviors. Brain Res Bull 2020; 163:135-142. [PMID: 32707263 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes an alarming economic and health burden in the United States. Unfortunately, this disease does not exist in isolation; AUD is highly comorbid with nicotine use. Results from both human and animal models demonstrate a genetic correlation between alcohol and nicotine behaviors. These data support the idea of shared genetic and neural mechanisms underlying these behaviors. Nicotine acts directly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to have its pharmacological effect. Interestingly, alcohol also acts both directly and indirectly at these receptors. Research utilizing genetically engineered rodents and pharmacological manipulations suggest a role for nAChR in several ethanol behaviors. The current manuscript collates this literature and discusses findings that implicate specific nAChR subunits in ethanol phenotypes. These data suggest future directions for targeting nAChR as novel therapeutics for AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tarren JR, Lester HA, Belmer A, Bartlett SE. Acute Ethanol Administration Upregulates Synaptic α4-Subunit of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors within the Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:338. [PMID: 29114204 PMCID: PMC5660714 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are two of the most frequently abused drugs, with their comorbidity well described. Previous data show that chronic exposure to nicotine upregulates high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in several brain areas. Effects of ethanol on specific brain nAChR subtypes within the mesolimbic dopaminergic (DA) pathway may be a key element in the comorbidity of ethanol and nicotine. However, it is unknown how alcohol affects the abundance of these receptor proteins. In the present study, we measured the effect of acute binge ethanol on nAChR α4 subunit levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and amygdala (Amg) by western blot analysis using a knock-in mouse line, generated with a normally functioning α4 nAChR subunit tagged with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). We observed a robust increase in α4-YFP subunit levels in the NAc and the Amg following acute ethanol, with no changes in the PFC and VTA. To further investigate whether this upregulation was mediated by increased local mRNA transcription, we quantified mRNA levels of the Chrna4 gene using qRT-PCR. We found no effect of ethanol on α4 mRNA expression, suggesting that the upregulation of α4 protein rather occurs post-translationally. The quantitative counting of YFP immunoreactive puncta further revealed that α4-YFP protein is upregulated in presynaptic boutons of the dopaminergic axons projecting to the shell and the core regions of the NAc as well as to the basolateral amygdala (BLA), but not to the central or lateral Amg. Together, our results demonstrate that a single exposure to binge ethanol upregulates level of synaptic α4∗ nAChRs in dopaminergic inputs to the NAc and BLA. This upregulation could be linked to the functional dysregulation of dopaminergic signalling observed during the development of alcohol dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josephine R Tarren
- Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Henry A Lester
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Arnauld Belmer
- Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Selena E Bartlett
- Translational Research Institute, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kamens HM, Silva C, Peck C, Miller CN. Varenicline modulates ethanol and saccharin consumption in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. Brain Res Bull 2017; 138:20-25. [PMID: 28778837 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period in brain development that coincides with the initiation of alcohol use. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have been shown to modulate ethanol behaviors in adult humans and in animal models; however, the role of these receptors in adolescent ethanol behaviors has not been explored. Throughout adolescence, nAChR expression undergoes large-scale developmental changes which may alter behavioral responses to ethanol. Here we examined the effect of varenicline, a nAChR partial agonist, on ethanol consumption, ataxia, sedation, and metabolism in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. The effect of varenicline on ethanol consumption was tested through the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm that models binge-like ethanol consumption. To ensure that results were specific for ethanol, we also tested the effect of varenicline on saccharin consumption. Additionally, varenicline was administered 30min prior to an acute injection of ethanol before being tested for ataxia on the balance beam, sedation using the loss of righting reflex, or ethanol metabolism. Varenicline dose dependently decreased ethanol consumption, but also influenced saccharin intake. Varenicline showed no significant effect on ethanol metabolism, ataxia, or sedation. Unlike its effects in adult animals, varenicline is able to reduce ethanol consumption without increasing the ataxic and sedative effects of ethanol. This work suggests that the neurobiological mechanisms of ethanol behaviors may change across the lifespan and highlights the need for more research on the role of nAChRs in ethanol behaviors throughout development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
| | - Constanza Silva
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Colette Peck
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Carley N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang B, Madden P, Gu J, Xing X, Sankar S, Flynn J, Kroll K, Wang T. Uncovering the transcriptomic and epigenomic landscape of nicotinic receptor genes in non-neuronal tissues. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:439. [PMID: 28583088 PMCID: PMC5460472 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in cellular physiology and human nicotine dependence, and are closely associated with many human diseases including cancer. For example, previous studies suggest that nAChRs can re-wire gene regulatory networks in lung cancer cell lines. However, the tissue specificity of nAChRs genes and their regulation remain unexplored. Result In this study, we integrated data from multiple large genomic consortiums, including ENCODE, Roadmap Epigenomics, GTEx, and FANTOM, to define the transcriptomic and epigenomic landscape of all nicotinic receptor genes across many different human tissues and cell types. We found that many important nAChRs, including CHRNA3, CHRNA4, CHRNA5, and CHRNB4, exhibited strong non-neuronal tissue-specific expression patterns. CHRNA3, CHRNA5, and CHRNB4 were highly expressed in human colon and small intestine, and CHRNA4 was highly expressed in human liver. By comparing the epigenetic marks of CHRNA4 in human liver and hippocampus, we identified a novel liver-specific transcription start site (TSS) of CHRNA4. We further demonstrated that CHRNA4 was specifically transcribed in hepatocytes but not transcribed in hepatic sinusoids and stellate cells, and that transcription factors HNF4A and RXRA were likely upstream regulators of CHRNA4. Our findings suggest that CHRNA4 has distinct transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in human liver and brain, and that this tissue-specific expression pattern is evolutionarily conserved in mouse. Finally, we found that liver-specific CHRNA4 transcription was highly correlated with genes involved in the nicotine metabolism, including CYP2A6, UGT2B7, and FMO3. These genes were significantly down-regulated in liver cancer patients, whereas CHRNA4 is also significantly down-regulated in cancer-matched normal livers. Conclusions Our results suggest important non-neuronally expressed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human body. These non-neuronal expression patterns are highly tissue-specific, and are epigenetically conserved during evolution in the context of non-conserved DNA sequence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3813-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 3212, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 5211, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Pamela Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Junchen Gu
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 5211, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 5211, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Savita Sankar
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 3212, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jennifer Flynn
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 5211, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kristen Kroll
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 3212, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Room 5211, 4515 McKinley Research Building, 4515 McKinley Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rinker JA, Mulholland PJ. Promising pharmacogenetic targets for treating alcohol use disorder: evidence from preclinical models. Pharmacogenomics 2017; 18:555-570. [PMID: 28346058 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited genetic variants contribute to risk factors for developing an alcohol use disorder, and polymorphisms may inform precision medicine strategies for treating alcohol addiction. Targeting genetic mutations linked to alcohol phenotypes has provided promising initial evidence for reducing relapse rates in alcoholics. Although successful in some studies, there are conflicting findings and the reports of adverse effects may ultimately limit their clinical utility, suggesting that novel pharmacogenetic targets are necessary to advance precision medicine approaches. Here, we describe promising novel genetic variants derived from preclinical models of alcohol consumption and dependence that may uncover disease mechanisms that drive uncontrolled drinking and identify novel pharmacogenetic targets that facilitate therapeutic intervention for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Addiction Sciences Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Patrick J Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Addiction Sciences Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zuo L, Tan Y, Li CSR, Wang Z, Wang K, Zhang X, Lin X, Chen X, Zhong C, Wang X, Guo X, Wang J, Lu L, Luo X. Associations of rare nicotinic cholinergic receptor gene variants to nicotine and alcohol dependence. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:1057-1071. [PMID: 27473937 PMCID: PMC5587505 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine's rewarding effects are mediated through distinct subunits of nAChRs, encoded by different nicotinic cholinergic receptor (CHRN) genes and expressed in discrete regions in the brain. In the present study, we aimed to test the associations between rare variants at CHRN genes and nicotine dependence (ND), and alcohol dependence (AD). A total of 26,498 subjects with nine different neuropsychiatric disorders in 15 independent cohorts, which were genotyped on Illumina, Affymetrix, or PERLEGEN microarray platforms, were analyzed. Associations between rare variants (minor allele frequency (MAF) <0.05) at CHRN genes and nicotine dependence, and alcohol dependence were tested. The mRNA expression of all Chrn genes in whole mouse brain and 10 specific brain areas was investigated. All CHRN genes except the muscle-type CHRNB1, including eight genomic regions containing 11 neuronal CHRN genes and three genomic regions containing four muscle-type CHRN genes, were significantly associated with ND, and/or AD. All of these genes were expressed in the mouse brain. We conclude that CHRNs are associated with ND (mainly) and AD, supporting the hypothesis that the full catalog of ND/AD risk genes may contain most neuronal nAChRs-encoding genes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Zuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yunlong Tan
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chiang-Shan R. Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kesheng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiandong Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine and Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai First People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyun Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of EEG & Neuroimaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jijun Wang
- Department of EEG & Neuroimaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Medical College of Nantong University, China
- Departments of Genetics, Genomics, Informatics, Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dick DM, Adkins AE, Kuo SIC. Genetic influences on adolescent behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 70:198-205. [PMID: 27422449 PMCID: PMC5074858 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional, developmental phase with marked shifts in behavior, particularly as related to risk-taking and experimentation. Genetic influences on adolescent behavior also show marked changes across this developmental period; in fact, adolescence showcases the dynamic nature of genetic influences on human behavior. Using the twin studies literature on alcohol use and misuse, we highlight several principles of genetic influence on adolescent behavior. We illustrate how genetic influences change (increase) across adolescence, as individuals have more freedom to express their predispositions and to shape their social worlds. We show how there are multiple genetic pathways to risk, and how the environment can moderate the importance of genetic predispositions. Finally, we review the literature aimed at identifying specific genes involved in adolescent behavior and understanding how identified genes impact adolescent outcomes. Ultimately, understanding how genetic predispositions combine with environmental influences to impact pathways of risk and resilience should be translated into improved prevention and intervention efforts; this remains a rich area for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States; Department of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, 816 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States; Department of Human & Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, 816 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
| | - Amy E Adkins
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, 816 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cross SJ, Lotfipour S, Leslie FM. Mechanisms and genetic factors underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or other drugs of abuse. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 43:171-185. [PMID: 27532746 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1209512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Concurrent use of tobacco and alcohol or psychostimulants represents a major public health concern, with use of one substance influencing consumption of the other. Co-abuse of these drugs leads to substantial negative health outcomes, reduced cessation, and high economic costs, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Epidemiological data suggest that tobacco use during adolescence plays a particularly significant role. Adolescence is a sensitive period of development marked by major neurobiological maturation of brain regions critical for reward processing, learning and memory, and executive function. Nicotine exposure during this time produces a unique and long-lasting vulnerability to subsequent substance use, likely via actions at cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. In this review, we discuss recent clinical and preclinical data examining the genetic factors and mechanisms underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or cocaine and amphetamines. We evaluate the critical role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors throughout, and emphasize the dearth of preclinical studies assessing concurrent drug exposure. We stress important age and sex differences in drug responses, and highlight a brief, low-dose nicotine exposure paradigm that may better model early use of tobacco products. The escalating use of e-cigarettes among youth necessitates a closer look at the consequences of early adolescent nicotine exposure on subsequent alcohol and drug abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Cross
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Shahrdad Lotfipour
- b Department of Emergency Medicine , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Frances M Leslie
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kamens HM, Corley RP, Richmond PA, Darlington TM, Dowell R, Hopfer CJ, Stallings MC, Hewitt JK, Brown SA, Ehringer MA. Evidence for Association Between Low Frequency Variants in CHRNA6/CHRNB3 and Antisocial Drug Dependence. Behav Genet 2016; 46:693-704. [PMID: 27085880 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-016-9792-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Common SNPs in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes (CHRN genes) have been associated with drug behaviors and personality traits, but the influence of rare genetic variants is not well characterized. The goal of this project was to identify novel rare variants in CHRN genes in the Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence (CADD) and Genetics of Antisocial Drug Dependence (GADD) samples and to determine if low frequency variants are associated with antisocial drug dependence. Two samples of 114 and 200 individuals were selected using a case/control design including the tails of the phenotypic distribution of antisocial drug dependence. The capture, sequencing, and analysis of all variants in 16 CHRN genes (CHRNA1-7, 9, 10, CHRNB1-4, CHRND, CHRNG, CHRNE) were performed independently for each subject in each sample. Sequencing reads were aligned to the human reference sequence using BWA prior to variant calling with the Genome Analysis ToolKit (GATK). Low frequency variants (minor allele frequency < 0.05) were analyzed using SKAT-O and C-alpha to examine the distribution of rare variants among cases and controls. In our larger sample, the region containing the CHRNA6/CHRNB3 gene cluster was significantly associated with disease status using both SKAT-O and C-alpha (unadjusted p values <0.05). More low frequency variants in the CHRNA6/CHRNB3 gene region were observed in cases compared to controls. These data support a role for genetic variants in CHRN genes and antisocial drug behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Robin P Corley
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | | | - Todd M Darlington
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Robin Dowell
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Christian J Hopfer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael C Stallings
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - John K Hewitt
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sandra A Brown
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Marissa A Ehringer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA. .,Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Linsenbardt DN, Boehm SL. Relative fluid novelty differentially alters the time course of limited-access ethanol and water intake in selectively bred high-alcohol-preferring mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 39:621-30. [PMID: 25833024 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of previous alcohol (ethanol [EtOH])-drinking experience on increasing the rate and amount of future EtOH consumption might be a genetically regulated phenomenon critical to the development and maintenance of repeated excessive EtOH abuse. We have recently found evidence supporting this view, wherein inbred C57BL/6J (B6) mice develop progressive increases in the rate of binge EtOH consumption over repeated drinking-in-the-dark (DID) EtOH access sessions (i.e., "front loading"). The primary goal of this study was to evaluate identical parameters in high-alcohol-preferring (HAP) mice to determine whether similar temporal alterations in limited-access EtOH drinking develop in a population selected for high EtOH preference/intake under continuous (24-hour) access conditions. METHODS Using specialized volumetric drinking devices, HAP mice received 14 daily 2-hour DID EtOH or water access sessions. A subset of these mice was then given 1 day access to the opposite assigned fluid on day 15. Home cage locomotor activity was recorded concomitantly on each day of these studies. The possibility of behavioral/metabolic tolerance was evaluated on day 16 using experimenter-administered EtOH. RESULTS The amount of EtOH consumed within the first 15 minutes of access increased markedly over days. However, in contrast to previous observations in B6 mice, EtOH front loading was also observed on day 15 in mice that only had previous DID experience with water. Furthermore, a decrease in the amount of water consumed within the first 15 minutes of access compared to animals given repeated water access was observed on day 15 in mice with 14 previous days of EtOH access. CONCLUSIONS These data further illustrate the complexity and importance of the temporal aspects of limited-access EtOH consumption and suggest that previous procedural/fluid experience in HAP mice selectively alters the time course of EtOH and water consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David N Linsenbardt
- Addiction Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Melroy-Greif WE, Stitzel JA, Ehringer MA. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: upregulation, age-related effects and associations with drug use. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 15:89-107. [PMID: 26351737 PMCID: PMC4780670 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that exogenously bind nicotine. Nicotine produces rewarding effects by interacting with these receptors in the brain's reward system. Unlike other receptors, chronic stimulation by an agonist induces an upregulation of receptor number that is not due to increased gene expression in adults; while upregulation also occurs during development and adolescence there have been some opposing findings regarding a change in corresponding gene expression. These receptors have also been well studied with regard to human genetic associations and, based on evidence suggesting shared genetic liabilities between substance use disorders, numerous studies have pointed to a role for this system in comorbid drug use. This review will focus on upregulation of these receptors in adulthood, adolescence and development, as well as the findings from human genetic association studies which point to different roles for these receptors in risk for initiation and continuation of drug use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney E. Melroy-Greif
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jerry A. Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Marissa A. Ehringer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Recent Advances in Nicotinic Receptor Signaling in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:183-201. [PMID: 26810002 PMCID: PMC4754113 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is the most commonly abused legal substance and alcoholism is a serious public health problem. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the world. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of alcohol reward and addiction are still not well understood. Emerging evidence indicates that unlike other drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, cocaine, or opioids, alcohol targets numerous channel proteins, receptor molecules, and signaling pathways in the brain. Previously, research has identified brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a heterogeneous family of pentameric ligand-gated cation channels expressed in the mammalian brain, as critical molecular targets for alcohol abuse and dependence. Genetic variations encoding nAChR subunits have been shown to increase the vulnerability to develop alcohol dependence. Here, we review recent insights into the rewarding effects of alcohol, as they pertain to different nAChR subtypes, associated signaling molecules, and pathways that contribute to the molecular mechanisms of alcoholism and/or comorbid brain disorders. Understanding these cellular changes and molecular underpinnings may be useful for the advancement of brain nicotinic-cholinergic mechanisms, and will lead to a better translational and therapeutic outcome for alcoholism and/or comorbid conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA.
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|