1
|
Tabakoff B, Hoffman PL. The role of the type 7 adenylyl cyclase isoform in alcohol use disorder and depression. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1012013. [PMID: 36386206 PMCID: PMC9649618 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1012013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The translation of extracellular signals to intracellular responses involves a number of signal transduction molecules. A major component of this signal transducing function is adenylyl cyclase, which produces the intracellular "second messenger," cyclic AMP. What was initially considered as a single enzyme for cyclic AMP generation is now known to be a family of nine membrane-bound enzymes, and one cytosolic enzyme. Each member of the adenylyl cyclase family is distinguished by factors that modulate its catalytic activity, by the cell, tissue, and organ distribution of the family members, and by the physiological/behavioral functions that are subserved by particular family members. This review focuses on the Type 7 adenylyl cyclase (AC7) in terms of its catalytic characteristics and its relationship to alcohol use disorder (AUD, alcoholism), and major depressive disorder (MDD). AC7 may be part of the inherited system predisposing an individual to AUD and/or MDD in a sex-specific manner, or this enzyme may change in its expression or activity in response to the progression of disease or in response to treatment. The areas of brain expressing AC7 are related to responses to stress and evidence is available that CRF1 receptors are coupled to AC7 in the amygdala and pituitary. Interestingly, AC7 is the major form of the cyclase contained in bone marrow-derived cells of the immune system and platelets, and in microglia. AC7 is thus, poised to play an integral role in both peripheral and brain immune function thought to be etiologically involved in both AUD and MDD. Both platelet and lymphocyte adenylyl cyclase activity have been proposed as markers for AUD and MDD, as well as prognostic markers of positive response to medication for MDD. We finish with consideration of paths to medication development that may selectively modulate AC7 activity as treatments for MDD and AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boris Tabakoff
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Lohocla Research Corporation, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Paula L. Hoffman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Lohocla Research Corporation, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Adenylyl Cyclase (AC) Mediates the Antidepressant-Like Effects of Tropisetron on a Mouse Model of Maternal Separation Stress. DEPRESSION RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2021; 2021:5586119. [PMID: 33976935 PMCID: PMC8084677 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5586119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The adenylyl cyclase (AC) pathway is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Finding new antidepressants with high medicinal properties and low side effects is warranted. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the antidepressant-like effect of tropisetron on a maternal separation (MS) model in mice, considering the possible role of AC. NMRI male mice were divided into eleven groups. The control group was treated with saline and MS groups were treated with saline, tropisetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) at doses of 1, 3, and 5 mg/kg; forskolin (an activator of AC) at doses of 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg; a subeffective dose of forskolin with a subeffective dose of tropisetron; and an effective dose of tropisetron plus an effective dose of NB001 (3 mg/kg) (an AC inhibitor). After treatment, animals were subjected to behavioral tests including the forced swimming test (FST), splash test, and open field test (OFT). We showed that MS caused depressive-like behaviors determined as an increase in the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) and decreased grooming time in the splash test. Our results showed that administration of tropisetron, as well as forskolin, mitigated the depressive-like behaviors in MS mice. We found that coadministration of a subeffective dose of tropisetron plus a subeffective dose of forskolin potentiated the antidepressant-like effect of tropisetron. However, coadministration of an effective dose of NB001 with an effective dose of tropisetron did not significantly affect the antidepressant-like effect of tropisetron. We concluded that the antidepressant-like effects of tropisetron on MS mice are partially mediated through the adenylyl cyclase pathway.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bosse KE, Ghoddoussi F, Eapen AT, Charlton JL, Susick LL, Desai K, Berkowitz BA, Perrine SA, Conti AC. Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases 1 and 8 regulate reward-related brain activity and ethanol consumption. Brain Imaging Behav 2019; 13:396-407. [PMID: 29594872 PMCID: PMC6202255 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-9856-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests a predictive link between elevated basal activity within reward-related networks (e.g., cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic networks) and vulnerability for alcoholism. Both calcium channel function and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A-mediated signaling are critical modulators of reward neurocircuitry and reward-related behaviors. Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases (AC) 1 and 8 are sensitive to activity-dependent increases in intracellular calcium and catalyze cAMP production. Therefore, we hypothesized AC1 and 8 regulate brain activity in reward regions of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuit and that this regulatory influence predicts voluntary ethanol drinking responses. This hypothesis was evaluated by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and chronic, intermittent ethanol access procedures. Ethanol-naïve mice with genetic deletion of both AC1 and 8 (DKO mice) exhibited bilateral reductions in baseline activity within cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic regions associated with reward processing compared to wild-type controls (WT, C57BL/6 mice). Significant activity changes were not evident in regions either outside of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic network or within the network that are not associated with reward processing. Parallel studies demonstrated that reward network hypoactivity in DKO mice predicted a significant attenuation in consumption and preference levels to escalating ethanol concentrations (12, 20 and 30%) compared to WT mice, an effect that was maintained over extended access (14 sessions) to 20% ethanol. Summarizing, these data support a contribution of AC1 and 8 in cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic activity and the predictive value of this regulatory influence on ethanol drinking behavior, which merits the future evaluation of calcium-stimulated ACs in the neural processes that engender vulnerability to maladaptive alcohol drinking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Bosse
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Farhad Ghoddoussi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ajay T Eapen
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer L Charlton
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Laura L Susick
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kirt Desai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bruce A Berkowitz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shane A Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Alana C Conti
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University, 4646 John R St., Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chatterjee R, Mitra A. An overview of effective therapies and recent advances in biomarkers for chronic liver diseases and associated liver cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 24:335-345. [PMID: 25560752 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) such as hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and their downstream effect cancer affect more than a billion of people around the world both symptomatically and asymptomatically. The major limitation for early detection and suitable medical management of CLDs and liver cancer is either the absent of symptoms or their similar manifestations as other diseases. This detection impediment has led to a steady increase in the number of people suffering from CLDs with an ultimate outcome of liver failure and undergoing transplantation. A better understanding of CLD pathogenesis has helped us to develop novel therapies for patients who are at greatest risk for CLD progression to the most serious disease cancer. With the discovery of aberrant molecular pathways in CLDs, it is now possible to delineate a road map for selecting targeted therapies for CLDs. Technological advances in imaging as well as the availability of several stable, sensitive, early, noninvasive biomarkers for distinguishing different stages of CLDs and cancer have greatly facilitated both drug target identification and real-time monitoring of response to therapy. Biomarkers are the most useful in clinical practice for liver diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is associated with secretion of various tumor-related proteins or nucleotides in peripheral circulation. The need for the identification of CLD biomarkers remains high. This article reviews the etiologies of CLDs, the results of recent clinical trials of treatments for CLDs, and development of noninvasive methodologies for detecting CLDs and monitoring their progression toward HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abhisek Mitra
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chabenne A, Moon C, Ojo C, Khogali A, Nepal B, Sharma S. Biomarkers in fetal alcohol syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bgm.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
6
|
Desrivières S, Pronko SP, Lourdusamy A, Ducci F, Hoffman PL, Wodarz N, Ridinger M, Rietschel M, Zelenika D, Lathrop M, Schumann G, Tabakoff B. Sex-specific role for adenylyl cyclase type 7 in alcohol dependence. Biol Psychiatry 2011; 69:1100-8. [PMID: 21481845 PMCID: PMC3094753 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol has been shown to critically modulate cyclic adenosine-3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. A number of downstream effectors that respond to the cAMP signals (e.g., protein kinase A, cAMP response element binding protein) have, in turn, been examined in relation to alcohol consumption. These studies did not, however, delineate the point at which the actions of alcohol on the cAMP cascade might translate into differences in drinking behavior. To further understand the role of cAMP synthesis in alcohol drinking and dependence, we investigated a specific adenylyl cyclase isoform, adenylyl cyclase (AC) Type 7, whose activity is selectively enhanced by ethanol. METHODS We measured alcohol consumption and preference in mice in which one copy of the Adcy7 gene was disrupted (Adcy7(+/-)). To demonstrate relevance of this gene for alcohol dependence in humans, we tested the association of polymorphisms in the ADCY7 gene with alcohol dependence in a sample of 1703 alcohol-dependent individuals and 1347 control subjects. RESULTS We show that Adcy7(+/-) female mice have higher preference for alcohol than wild-type mice, whereas there is little difference in alcohol consumption or preference between Adcy7(+/-) male mice and wild-type control subjects. In the human sample, we found that single nucleotide polymorphisms in ADCY7 associate with alcohol dependence in women, and these markers are also associated with ADCY7 expression (messenger RNA) levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings implicate adenylyl cyclase Type 7 as a critical component of the molecular pathways contributing to alcohol drinking and the development of alcohol dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvane Desrivières
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sergey P. Pronko
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Anbarasu Lourdusamy
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Ducci
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom,Institute of Psychiatry, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Paula L. Hoffman
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Norbert Wodarz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Monika Ridinger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | | | - Gunter Schumann
- Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Boris Tabakoff
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li YC, Wang FM, Pan Y, Qiang LQ, Cheng G, Zhang WY, Kong LD. Antidepressant-like effects of curcumin on serotonergic receptor-coupled AC-cAMP pathway in chronic unpredictable mild stress of rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2009; 33:435-49. [PMID: 19302828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2008] [Revised: 01/01/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic receptors take their physiologic effects by affecting adenylyl cyclase (AC) catalytic activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration. AC-cAMP second messenger pathway has been recently suggested to play an important role in depression. Therefore, the compound that regulates the signal pathway may have potential as antidepressant. Curcumin is the main component of Curcuma longa L, a well-known indigenous herb with comprehensive bioactivities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and curcumin on behaviours and serotonergic receptor-coupled AC-cAMP signal pathway in rats. Curcumin produced beneficial effects on the stressed rats by effectively improving CUMS-induced low sucrose consumption and reducing serum corticosterone levels in rats. Moreover, curcumin enhanced AC activity and cAMP levels in platelet and various brain regions, and up-regulated mRNA expressions of AC subtypes AC 2, AC 8 and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus, cortex and hypothalamus of the CUMS rats. Curcumin also attenuated CUMS-induced reductions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and high expressions of central 5-HT(1A/1B/7) receptors in rats. These results suggested that the potent antidepressant property of curcumin might be attributed to its improvement of AC-cAMP pathway as well as CREB via suppressing central 5-HT(1A/1B/7) receptors in the CUMS rats. Our findings provided a basis for examining the interaction of serotonergic receptors and AC-cAMP pathway in depression and curcumin treatment.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/classification
- Adenylyl Cyclases/genetics
- Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use
- Body Weight/drug effects
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/metabolism
- Corticosterone/blood
- Curcumin/therapeutic use
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drinking/drug effects
- Eating/drug effects
- Fluoxetine/therapeutic use
- Food Deprivation/physiology
- Food Preferences/drug effects
- Food Preferences/physiology
- Male
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Serotonin/classification
- Receptors, Serotonin/genetics
- Receptors, Serotonin/metabolism
- Serotonin/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Stress, Psychological/etiology
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- Water Deprivation/physiology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Donati RJ, Rasenick MM. Lipid rafts, G proteins and the etiology of and treatment for depression: progress toward a depression biomarker. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.2217/14796708.3.5.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Donati
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Chicago, IL 60612-7342, USA and, Basic & Health Science Department, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Mark M Rasenick
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Departments of Physiology & Biophysics & Psychiatry, 835 S Wolcott Ave, M/C 901, Rm E202, Chicago, IL 60612-7342, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gurguis GN. Psychiatric Disorders. Platelets 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-012369367-9/50806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
10
|
Pragst F, Yegles M. Alcohol Markers in Hair. ANALYTICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF DRUG TESTING IN HAIR 2006. [DOI: 10.1201/9781420006193.ch14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
11
|
Hines LM, Tabakoff B. Platelet adenylyl cyclase activity: a biological marker for major depression and recent drug use. Biol Psychiatry 2005; 58:955-62. [PMID: 16095566 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2005] [Revised: 03/29/2005] [Accepted: 05/27/2005] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is an enzyme that can regulate the physiologic effects of numerous drugs and hormones through the production of cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). Some studies suggest that certain measures of AC activity are lower among depressed subjects. We examined the relationship between various measures of AC activity and major depression, taking into account potential confounders, such as drug use and gender. METHODS We assessed the relationship between platelet levels of AC activity and lifetime diagnosis of major depression among 1481 participants (226 subjects with a history of major depression and 1255 control subjects) in an international, cross-sectional study initiated by the World Health Organization and the International Society on Biomedical Research on Alcoholism. RESULTS After accounting for recent drug use, subjects with a history of major depression had markedly lower mean levels for all measures of platelet AC activity compared with control subjects. The adjusted odds ratios for major depression comparing the bottom to the top quartile of AC activity were 2.69 for basal (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-5.56), 3.72 for cesium fluoride-stimulated (95% CI 1.54-8.98), 6.20 for forskolin-stimulated (95% CI 2.04-18.80), and 2.20 for Gpp(NH)p-stimulated (95% CI 1.03-4.70). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with major depression have lower platelet AC activity levels, and this relationship is dramatically attenuated by various types of drug use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Hines
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80045-0511, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hines LM, Ray L, Hutchison K, Tabakoff B. Alcoholism: the dissection for endophenotypes. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2005. [PMID: 16262210 PMCID: PMC3181729 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2005.7.2/lhines] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a complex disorder attributed to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors that form a collage of "disease" predisposition, which is not identical for every alcohol-dependent individual. There is considerable evidence to demonstrate that genetic predisposition accounts for roughly half the risk in the development of alcohol dependence. Both family and population studies have identified a number of genomic regions with suggestive links to alcoholism, yet there have been relatively few definitive findings with regard to genetic determinants of alcoholism. This ambiguity can be attributed to a multitude of complications of studying complex mental disorders, such as clinical heterogeneity, polygenic determinants, reduced penetrance, and epistatic effects. Complex mental disorders are clinical manifestations described by combinations of various signs and symptoms. One approach to overcoming the ambiguity in studying the association between genetic risk factors and disease is to dissect the complex, heterogeneous disorder by using intermediate phenotypes--or endophenotypes--to generate more homogeneous diagnostic groupings than an all-encompassing definition, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-derived term "alcohol dependence" or the commonly used term "alcoholism." The advantage of using endophenotypes is that the number of influential factors that contribute to these characteristics should be fewer and more easily identified than the number of factors affecting the heterogeneous entity of alcohol dependence (alcoholism). A variety of alcohol-related characteristics have been investigated in epidemiological, clinical, and basic research as potential endophenotypes of alcohol dependence. These include phenotypes related to alcohol metabolism, physiological and endocrine measures, neural imaging, electrophysiology, personality, drinking behavior, and responses to alcohol and alcohol-derived cues. This review summarizes the current literature, focused on human data, of promising endophenotypes for dissecting alcoholism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Hines
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Co 80045-0511, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wurst FM, Tabakoff B, Alling C, Aradottir S, Wiesbeck GA, Müller-Spahn F, Pragst F, Johnson B, Javors M, Ait-Daoud N, Skipper GE, Spies C, Nachbar Y, Lesch O, Ramskogler K, Hartmann S, Wolfersdorf M, Dresen S, Weinmann W, Hines L, Kaiser A, Lu RB, Ko HC, Huang SY, Wang TJ, Wu YS, Whitfield J, Snell LD, Wu C, Hoffman PL. World Health Organization/International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism Study on State and Trait Markers of Alcohol Use and Dependence: Back to the Future. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2005; 29:1268-75. [PMID: 16088983 DOI: 10.1097/01.alc.0000171483.93724.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
14
|
Schuckit MA, Smith TL, Kalmijn J. The Search for Genes Contributing to the Low Level of Response to Alcohol: Patterns of Findings Across Studies. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2004; 28:1449-58. [PMID: 15597076 DOI: 10.1097/01.alc.0000141637.01925.f6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholism is a complex genetically influenced disorder in which multiple phenotypes [e.g., disinhibition, alcohol-metabolizing patterns, and the low level of response (LR) to alcohol] contribute to the risk. A low LR to alcohol is one of the more thoroughly studied risk phenotypes; data indicate that LR relates to the risk status, predicts future alcoholism, and has a heritability as high as 60%. This article reviews data from animal and human studies regarding the LR to alcohol, searching for a convergence of results that might lead to the identification of relevant genes. METHODS A literature search was performed regarding animal and human genetic studies focusing on genes that might affect the LR to alcohol as a risk factor for alcoholism. The goal was to synthesize these results and highlight potential patterns. RESULTS Focusing on both genetic linkage and association studies, a number of chromosomal regions and genes potentially relevant to findings across two or more sources were identified. The genes of potential interest fell into several categories, including second-messenger systems (e.g., G proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and protein kinases); neurotransmitters or drug-related receptors (e.g., gamma-aminobutyric acid-A, glutamate, serotonin, and cannabinoid and opioid receptors); genes that affect alcohol metabolism; and genes that might relate to an overlap in the risk for alcoholism and some psychiatric conditions (e.g., catechol-O-methyltransferase regarding schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). CONCLUSIONS The review identifies several genes that may contribute to a low LR to alcohol and, thus, to an increased risk for alcohol use disorders. The chromosomal regions and genes highlighted here may form the basis for more focused genetic studies of alcohol use disorders, with the goals of developing more specific and effective prevention and treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Schuckit
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California 92161-2002, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Alcohol biomarkers include tests indicative of acute or chronic alcohol consumption (state markers), and markers of a genetic predisposition to develop alcohol dependence after chronic exposure (trait markers). While a comprehensive trait marker for alcohol dependence has not been identified, a number of successful state markers for monitoring drinking status are used clinically. These tests provide direct or indirect ways to estimate the amounts of alcohol consumed and the duration of ingestion, and to detect any harmful effects on body functions resulting from long-term misuse. The most obvious method to prove recent drinking is by demonstrating the presence of ethanol in body fluids or breath, but, because ethanol is cleared fairly rapidly from the body, this method is limited to detect only very recent drinking. Measurement of urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol or ethyl glucuronide provide more sensitive methods to disclose recent drinking, because their washout constants are much longer than for ethanol. The liver functions test (GGT, AST and ALT in serum) and the mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes (MCV) are among the standard diagnostic tools used to identify chronic alcohol exposure. The main disadvantage with these measures is that they have low sensitivity for recent excessive intake, and that raised levels may result from several causes besides heavy drinking, implying a low specificity for alcohol. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), which refers to changes in the carbohydrate composition of serum transferrin, is a more specific marker for identifying excessive alcohol consumption and monitoring abstinence during outpatient treatment. The alcohol biomarkers improves knowledge of drinking patterns in both individuals and populations, and they are also valuable tools for the objective evaluation of treatment efforts. Alcohol markers have, for example, found uses in early identification of at-risk and harmful drinking, and they help to monitor abstinence and relapse in response to outpatient treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Helander
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|