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Schuch JB, Bandeira CE, Junior JLS, Müller D, Charão MF, da Silva BS, Grevet EH, Kessler FHP, von Diemen L, Rovaris DL, Bau CHD. Global DNA methylation patterns in Alcohol Use Disorder. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 46:e20230139. [PMID: 38197733 PMCID: PMC10778554 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0139] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide that produces a wide range of pathophysiological consequences, with a critical impact on health and social issues. Alcohol influences gene expression through epigenetic changes mainly through DNA methylation. In this sense, levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), namely Global DNA methylation (GMe), which can be influenced by environmental and hormonal effects, represent a putative biological mechanism underlying alcohol effects. Our aim was to investigate the influence of AUD diagnosis and alcohol patterns (i.e., years of addiction, use in the last 30 days, and alcohol severity) on GMe levels. The sample consisted of 256 men diagnosed with AUD and 361 men without AUD. DNA samples from peripheral blood were used to assess GMe levels, measured through the levels of 5-mC using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results from multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the presence of AUD was associated with lower GMe levels (beta=-0.155, p=0.011). Other alcohol-related outcomes were not associated with DNA methylation. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the impact of chronic and heavy alcohol use in GMe could be a potential mechanism mediating the multiple organ damages related to AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline B. Schuch
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cibele E. Bandeira
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jorge L. S. Junior
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diana Müller
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariele F. Charão
- Universidade Feevale, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Toxicologia e Análises Toxicológicas, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna S. da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eugenio H. Grevet
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Felix H. P. Kessler
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lisia von Diemen
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa em Álcool e Drogas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diego L. Rovaris
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Claiton H. D. Bau
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Psiquiatria do Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Rungratanawanich W, Ballway JW, Wang X, Won KJ, Hardwick JP, Song BJ. Post-translational modifications of histone and non-histone proteins in epigenetic regulation and translational applications in alcohol-associated liver disease: Challenges and research opportunities. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 251:108547. [PMID: 37838219 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is a process that takes place through adaptive cellular pathways influenced by environmental factors and metabolic changes to modulate gene activity with heritable phenotypic variations without altering the DNA sequences of many target genes. Epigenetic regulation can be facilitated by diverse mechanisms: many different types of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone and non-histone nuclear proteins, DNA methylation, altered levels of noncoding RNAs, incorporation of histone variants, nucleosomal positioning, chromatin remodeling, etc. These factors modulate chromatin structure and stability with or without the involvement of metabolic products, depending on the cellular context of target cells or environmental stimuli, such as intake of alcohol (ethanol) or Western-style high-fat diets. Alterations of epigenetics have been actively studied, since they are frequently associated with multiple disease states. Consequently, explorations of epigenetic regulation have recently shed light on the pathogenesis and progression of alcohol-associated disorders. In this review, we highlight the roles of various types of PTMs, including less-characterized modifications of nuclear histone and non-histone proteins, in the epigenetic regulation of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and other disorders. We also describe challenges in characterizing specific PTMs and suggest future opportunities for basic and translational research to prevent or treat ALD and many other disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiramon Rungratanawanich
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jacob W Ballway
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kyoung-Jae Won
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA
| | - James P Hardwick
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA.
| | - Byoung-Joon Song
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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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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Zindler T, Frieling H, Fliedner L, Veer IM, Neyazi A, Awasthi S, Ripke S, Walter H, Friedel E. How alcohol makes the epigenetic clock tick faster and the clock reversing effect of abstinence. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13198. [DOI: 10.1111/adb.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Zindler
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Lena Fliedner
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
| | - Ilya M. Veer
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
| | - Alexandra Neyazi
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Swapnil Awasthi
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
| | - Stephan Ripke
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
| | - Eva Friedel
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Berlin Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Berlin Germany
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Soda K. Overview of Polyamines as Nutrients for Human Healthy Long Life and Effect of Increased Polyamine Intake on DNA Methylation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010164. [PMID: 35011727 PMCID: PMC8750749 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are synthesized in every living cell and are therefore contained in foods, especially in those that are thought to contribute to health and longevity. They have many physiological activities similar to those of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances such as polyphenols. These include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cell and gene protection, and autophagy activation. We have first reported that increased polyamine intake (spermidine much more so than spermine) over a long period increased blood spermine levels and inhibited aging-associated pathologies and pro-inflammatory status in humans and mice and extended life span of mice. However, it is unlikely that the life-extending effect of polyamines is exerted by the same bioactivity as polyphenols because most studies using polyphenols and antioxidants have failed to demonstrate their life-extending effects. Recent investigations revealed that aging-associated pathologies and lifespan are closely associated with DNA methylation, a regulatory mechanism of gene expression. There is a close relationship between polyamine metabolism and DNA methylation. We have shown that the changes in polyamine metabolism affect the concentrations of substances and enzyme activities involved in DNA methylation. I consider that the increased capability of regulation of DNA methylation by spermine is a key of healthy long life of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuniyasu Soda
- Department Cardiovascular Institute for Medical Research, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, 1-847, Amanuma, Saitama-City 330-0834, Saitama, Japan
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Prospects of Genetics and Epigenetics of Alcohol Use Disorder. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-020-00331-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
In this study, we illustrate recent findings regarding the genetics and epigenetics of alcohol use disorder (AUD). We further outline the future direction of genetic and epigenetic research in AUD.
Recent Findings
Recent genome- and epigenome-wide studies allow new insight into genetic and epigenetic variation associated with AUD. The largest EWAS of AUD so far/to date found evidence for altered glucocorticoid receptor regulation. Longitudinal studies provide insight into the dynamics of the disease. Analyses of postmortem brain tissue reveal the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on DNA methylation in the brain.
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors—mediated via epigenetic mechanisms—play an important role in AUD. Although knowledge of the biological underpinnings of AUD is still limited, ongoing research will ultimately lead to the development of biomarkers for disease classification, course of disease, and treatment response to support personalized medicine in the future.
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