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Martínez-Rivera FJ, Yim YY, Godino A, Minier-Toribio A, Tofani S, Holt LM, Torres-Berrío A, Futamura R, Browne CJ, Markovic T, Hamilton PJ, Neve RL, Nestler EJ. Cell-Type-Specific Regulation of Cocaine Reward by the E2F3a Transcription Factor in Nucleus Accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.08.602609. [PMID: 39026727 PMCID: PMC11257579 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.08.602609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The development of drug addiction is characterized by molecular changes in brain reward regions that lead to the transition from recreational to compulsive drug use. These neurobiological processes in brain reward regions, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), are orchestrated in large part by transcriptional regulation. Our group recently identified the transcription factor E2F3a as a novel regulator of cocaine's rewarding effects and gene expression regulation in the NAc of male mice. Despite this progress, no information is available about the role of E2F3a in regulating cocaine reward at the sex- and cell-specific levels. Here, we used male and female mice expressing Cre-recombinase in either D1- or D2-type medium spiny neurons (MSNs) combined with viral-mediated gene transfer to bidirectionally control levels of E2F3a in a cell-type-specific manner in the NAc during conditioned place preference (CPP) to cocaine. Our findings show that selective overexpression of E2F3a in D1-MSNs increased cocaine CPP in both male and female mice, whereas opposite effects were observed under knockdown conditions. In contrast, equivalent E2F3a manipulations in D2-MSNs had no significant effects. To further explore the role of E2F3a in sophisticated operant and motivated behaviors, we performed viral manipulations of all NAc neurons in combination with cocaine self-administration and behavioral economics procedures in rats and demonstrated that E2F3a regulates sensitivity aspects of cocaine seeking and taking. These results confirm E2F3a as a central substrate of cocaine reward and demonstrate that this effect is mediated in D1-MSNs, thereby providing increased knowledge of cocaine action at the transcriptional level.
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Ambigapathy G, McCowan TJ, Carvelli L. Amphetamine exposure during embryogenesis changes expression and function of the dopamine transporter in Caenorhabditis elegans offspring. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38960397 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a transmembrane protein that regulates dopamine (DA) neurotransmission by binding to and moving DA from the synaptic cleft back into the neurons. Besides moving DA and other endogenous monoamines, DAT is also a neuronal carrier for exogenous compounds such as the psychostimulant amphetamine (Amph), and several studies have shown that Amph-induced behaviors require a functional DAT. Here, we demonstrate that exposure to Amph during early development causes behavioral, functional, and epigenetic modifications at the Caenorhabditis elegans DAT gene homolog, dat-1, in C. elegans offspring. Specifically, we show that, while embryos exposed to Amph generate adults that produce offspring with no obvious behavioral alterations, both adults and offspring exhibit an increased behavioral response when challenged with Amph. Our functional studies suggest that a decrease in DAT-1 expression underlies the increased behavioral response to Amph seen in offspring. Moreover, our epigenetic data suggest that histone methylation is a mechanism utilized by Amph to maintain changes in DAT-1 expression in offspring. Taken together, our data reveal that Amph, by altering the epigenetic landscape of DAT, propagates long-lasting functional and behavioral changes in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Ambigapathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Talus J McCowan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Lucia Carvelli
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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3
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Liu SX, Muelken P, Maxim ZL, Ramakrishnan A, Estill MS, LeSage MG, Smethells JR, Shen L, Tran PV, Harris AC, Gewirtz JC. Differential gene expression and chromatin accessibility in the medial prefrontal cortex associated with individual differences in rat behavioral models of opioid use disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582799. [PMID: 38979145 PMCID: PMC11230220 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a neuropsychological disease that has a devastating impact on public health. Substantial individual differences in vulnerability exist, the neurobiological substrates of which remain unclear. To address this question, we investigated genome-wide gene transcription (RNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male and female rats exhibiting differential vulnerability in behavioral paradigms modeling different phases of OUD: Withdrawal-Induced Anhedonia (WIA), Demand, and Reinstatement. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of RNA-seq revealed greater changes in canonical pathways in Resilient (vs. Saline) rats in comparison to Vulnerable (vs. Saline) rats across 3 paradigms, suggesting brain adaptations that might contribute to resilience to OUD across its trajectory. Analyses of gene networks and upstream regulators implicated processes involved in oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination in WIA, neuroinflammation in Demand, and metabolism in Reinstatement. Motif analysis of ATAC-seq showed changes in chromatin accessibility to a small set of transcription factor (TF) binding sites as a function either of opioid exposure (i.e., morphine versus saline) generally or of individual vulnerability specifically. Some of these were shared across the 3 paradigms and others were unique to each. In conclusion, we have identified changes in biological pathways, TFs, and their binding motifs that vary with paradigm and OUD vulnerability. These findings point to the involvement of distinct transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms in response to opioid exposure, vulnerability to OUD, and different stages of the disorder.
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Zhang D, Wang Z, Deng H, Yi S, Li T, Kang X, Li J, Li C, Wang T, Xiang B, Li G. Zinc oxide nanoparticles damage the prefrontal lobe in mouse: Behavioral impacts and key mechanisms. Toxicol Lett 2024; 397:129-140. [PMID: 38759938 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.05.009] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have dualistic properties due to their advantage and toxicity. However, the impact and mechanisms of ZnO NPs on the prefrontal lobe have limited research. This study investigates the behavioral changes following exposure to ZnO NPs (34 mg/kg, 30 days), integrating multiple behaviors and bioinformatics analysis to identify critical factors and regulatory mechanisms. The essential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including ORC1, DSP, AADAT, SLITRK6, and STEAP1. Analysis of the DEGs based on fold change reveals that ZnO NPs primarily regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in neural cells, damaging the prefrontal lobe. Moreover, disruption of cell communication, mineral absorption, and immune pathways occurs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further shows enrichment of behavior, neuromuscular process, signal transduction in function, synapses-related, cAMP signaling, and immune pathways. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) genes highlight synaptic structure/function, synaptic signal transduction, immune responses, cell proliferation, and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Simeng Yi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinjiang Kang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Fundamental and Clinical Research on Mental Disorders Key Laboratory of Luzhou City, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, PR China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Psychiatry, Fundamental and Clinical Research on Mental Disorders Key Laboratory of Luzhou City, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, PR China.
| | - Guang Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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5
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Szabó D, Franke V, Bianco S, Batiuk MY, Paul EJ, Kukalev A, Pfisterer UG, Irastorza-Azcarate I, Chiariello AM, Demharter S, Zea-Redondo L, Lopez-Atalaya JP, Nicodemi M, Akalin A, Khodosevich K, Ungless MA, Winick-Ng W, Pombo A. A single dose of cocaine rewires the 3D genome structure of midbrain dopamine neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593308. [PMID: 38766140 PMCID: PMC11100777 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine neurons (DNs) respond to a first exposure to addictive drugs and play key roles in chronic drug usage1-3. As the synaptic and transcriptional changes that follow an acute cocaine exposure are mostly resolved within a few days4,5, the molecular changes that encode the long-term cellular memory of the exposure within DNs remain unknown. To investigate whether a single cocaine exposure induces long-term changes in the 3D genome structure of DNs, we applied Genome Architecture Mapping and single nucleus transcriptomic analyses in the mouse midbrain. We found extensive rewiring of 3D genome architecture at 24 hours past exposure which remains or worsens by 14 days, outlasting transcriptional responses. The cocaine-induced chromatin rewiring occurs at all genomic scales and affects genes with major roles in cocaine-induced synaptic changes. A single cocaine exposure triggers extensive long-lasting changes in chromatin condensation in post-synaptic and post-transcriptional regulatory genes, for example the unfolding of Rbfox1 which becomes most prominent 14 days post exposure. Finally, structurally remodeled genes are most expressed in a specific DN sub-type characterized by low expression of the dopamine auto-receptor Drd2, a key feature of highly cocaine-sensitive cells. These results reveal an important role for long-lasting 3D genome remodelling in the cellular memory of a single cocaine exposure, providing new hypotheses for understanding the inception of drug addiction and 3D genome plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Szabó
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vedran Franke
- Bioinformatics & Omics Data Science platform, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simona Bianco
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, and INFN Napoli, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mykhailo Y. Batiuk
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Eleanor J. Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London W12 0HS, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alexander Kukalev
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich G. Pfisterer
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Ibai Irastorza-Azcarate
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea M. Chiariello
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, and INFN Napoli, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Samuel Demharter
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Luna Zea-Redondo
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jose P. Lopez-Atalaya
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), 03550, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Mario Nicodemi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Napoli Federico II, and INFN Napoli, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Altuna Akalin
- Bioinformatics & Omics Data Science platform, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Mark A. Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London W12 0HS, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Warren Winick-Ng
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ana Pombo
- Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Carvalho L, Lasek AW. It is not just about transcription: involvement of brain RNA splicing in substance use disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:495-503. [PMID: 38396082 PMCID: PMC11055753 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-024-02740-y] [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: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a co-transcriptional process that significantly contributes to the molecular landscape of the cell. It plays a multifaceted role in shaping gene transcription, protein diversity, and functional adaptability in response to environmental cues. Recent studies demonstrate that drugs of abuse have a profound impact on alternative splicing patterns within different brain regions. Drugs like alcohol and cocaine modify the expression of genes responsible for encoding splicing factors, thereby influencing alternative splicing of crucial genes involved in neurotransmission, neurogenesis, and neuroinflammation. Notable examples of these alterations include alcohol-induced changes in splicing factors such as HSPA6 and PCBP1, as well as cocaine's impact on PTBP1 and SRSF11. Beyond the immediate effects of drug exposure, recent research has shed light on the role of alternative splicing in contributing to the risk of substance use disorders (SUDs). This is exemplified by exon skipping events in key genes like ELOVL7, which can elevate the risk of alcohol use disorder. Lastly, drugs of abuse can induce splicing alterations through epigenetic modifications. For example, cocaine exposure leads to alterations in levels of trimethylated lysine 36 of histone H3, which exhibits a robust association with alternative splicing and serves as a reliable predictor for exon exclusion. In summary, alternative splicing has emerged as a critical player in the complex interplay between drugs of abuse and the brain, offering insights into the molecular underpinnings of SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Carvalho
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 E. Broad ST, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 E. Broad ST, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
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7
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Ke T, Poquette KE, Amro Gazze SL, Carvelli L. Amphetamine Exposure during Embryogenesis Alters Expression and Function of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter in Adult C. elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4219. [PMID: 38673805 PMCID: PMC11050232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084219] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amphetamines (Amph) are psychostimulants broadly used as physical and cognitive enhancers. However, the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to Amph have been poorly investigated. Here, we show that continuous exposure to Amph during early development induces long-lasting changes in histone methylation at the C. elegans tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) homolog cat-2 and the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) homologue cat-1 genes. These Amph-induced histone modifications are correlated with enhanced expression and function of CAT-2/TH and higher levels of dopamine, but decreased expression of CAT-1/VMAT in adult animals. Moreover, while adult animals pre-exposed to Amph do not show obvious behavioral defects, when challenged with Amph they exhibit Amph hypersensitivity, which is associated with a rapid increase in cat-2/TH mRNA. Because C. elegans has helped reveal neuronal and epigenetic mechanisms that are shared among animals as diverse as roundworms and humans, and because of the evolutionary conservation of the dopaminergic response to psychostimulants, data collected in this study could help us to identify the mechanisms through which Amph induces long-lasting physiological and behavioral changes in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Katie E. Poquette
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Sophia L. Amro Gazze
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
| | - Lucia Carvelli
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA (K.E.P.); (S.L.A.G.)
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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8
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Mallick R, Duttaroy AK. Epigenetic modification impacting brain functions: Effects of physical activity, micronutrients, caffeine, toxins, and addictive substances. Neurochem Int 2023; 171:105627. [PMID: 37827244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105627] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Changes in gene expression are involved in many brain functions. Epigenetic processes modulate gene expression by histone modification and DNA methylation or RNA-mediated processes, which is important for brain function. Consequently, epigenetic changes are also a part of brain diseases such as mental illness and addiction. Understanding the role of different factors on the brain epigenome may help us understand the function of the brain. This review discussed the effects of caffeine, lipids, addictive substances, physical activity, and pollutants on the epigenetic changes in the brain and their modulatory effects on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mallick
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, POB 1046 Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
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Campbell RR, Lobo MK. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychostimulant use. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 83:102786. [PMID: 37776675 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Rates of individuals struggling with psychostimulant use disorder (PSUD), defined as chronic use of psychostimulants despite negative consequences, are growing rapidly over the last few decades. However, there are no current pharmacotherapeutics to aid individuals in maintaining drug abstinence. Identifying the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that promote persistent craving and taking of psychostimulants is critical to creating novel pharmacological treatments for PSUD. Psychostimulant use dysregulates processes within the brain that are responsible for decision-making, reward, and memory formation to drive future drug-seeking. Here, we describe novel findings and theories on how psychostimulants impact mechanisms related to transcription, mitochondrial function, and synaptic plasticity within the reward system to drive drug-seeking. We also highlight work examining how psychostimulants impact neural networks through rewiring circuitry to drive addiction-related behaviors. Overall, this review aims to feature the latest progress in understanding the biological basis of PSUD and promising mechanisms for PSUD pharmacotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne R Campbell
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. https://twitter.com/RianneThoughts
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Phillips RA, Wan E, Tuscher JJ, Reid D, Drake OR, Ianov L, Day JJ. Temporally specific gene expression and chromatin remodeling programs regulate a conserved Pdyn enhancer. eLife 2023; 12:RP89993. [PMID: 37938195 PMCID: PMC10631760 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89993] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal and behavioral adaptations to novel stimuli are regulated by temporally dynamic waves of transcriptional activity, which shape neuronal function and guide enduring plasticity. Neuronal activation promotes expression of an immediate early gene (IEG) program comprised primarily of activity-dependent transcription factors, which are thought to regulate a second set of late response genes (LRGs). However, while the mechanisms governing IEG activation have been well studied, the molecular interplay between IEGs and LRGs remain poorly characterized. Here, we used transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility profiling to define activity-driven responses in rat striatal neurons. As expected, neuronal depolarization generated robust changes in gene expression, with early changes (1 hr) enriched for inducible transcription factors and later changes (4 hr) enriched for neuropeptides, synaptic proteins, and ion channels. Remarkably, while depolarization did not induce chromatin remodeling after 1 hr, we found broad increases in chromatin accessibility at thousands of sites in the genome at 4 hr after neuronal stimulation. These putative regulatory elements were found almost exclusively at non-coding regions of the genome, and harbored consensus motifs for numerous activity-dependent transcription factors such as AP-1. Furthermore, blocking protein synthesis prevented activity-dependent chromatin remodeling, suggesting that IEG proteins are required for this process. Targeted analysis of LRG loci identified a putative enhancer upstream of Pdyn (prodynorphin), a gene encoding an opioid neuropeptide implicated in motivated behavior and neuropsychiatric disease states. CRISPR-based functional assays demonstrated that this enhancer is both necessary and sufficient for Pdyn transcription. This regulatory element is also conserved at the human PDYN locus, where its activation is sufficient to drive PDYN transcription in human cells. These results suggest that IEGs participate in chromatin remodeling at enhancers and identify a conserved enhancer that may act as a therapeutic target for brain disorders involving dysregulation of Pdyn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Phillips
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Ethan Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Jennifer J Tuscher
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - David Reid
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Olivia R Drake
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Lara Ianov
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Jeremy J Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
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11
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Falconnier C, Caparros-Roissard A, Decraene C, Lutz PE. Functional genomic mechanisms of opioid action and opioid use disorder: a systematic review of animal models and human studies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4568-4584. [PMID: 37723284 PMCID: PMC10914629 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02238-1] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, over-prescription of opioids for pain management has driven a steep increase in opioid use disorder (OUD) and death by overdose, exerting a dramatic toll on western countries. OUD is a chronic relapsing disease associated with a lifetime struggle to control drug consumption, suggesting that opioids trigger long-lasting brain adaptations, notably through functional genomic and epigenomic mechanisms. Current understanding of these processes, however, remain scarce, and have not been previously reviewed systematically. To do so, the goal of the present work was to synthesize current knowledge on genome-wide transcriptomic and epigenetic mechanisms of opioid action, in primate and rodent species. Using a prospectively registered methodology, comprehensive literature searches were completed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Of the 2709 articles identified, 73 met our inclusion criteria and were considered for qualitative analysis. Focusing on the 5 most studied nervous system structures (nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, whole striatum, dorsal striatum, spinal cord; 44 articles), we also conducted a quantitative analysis of differentially expressed genes, in an effort to identify a putative core transcriptional signature of opioids. Only one gene, Cdkn1a, was consistently identified in eleven studies, and globally, our results unveil surprisingly low consistency across published work, even when considering most recent single-cell approaches. Analysis of sources of variability detected significant contributions from species, brain structure, duration of opioid exposure, strain, time-point of analysis, and batch effects, but not type of opioid. To go beyond those limitations, we leveraged threshold-free methods to illustrate how genome-wide comparisons may generate new findings and hypotheses. Finally, we discuss current methodological development in the field, and their implication for future research and, ultimately, better care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Falconnier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alba Caparros-Roissard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Charles Decraene
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre-Eric Lutz
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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12
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Yeh SY, Estill M, Lardner CK, Browne CJ, Minier-Toribio A, Futamura R, Beach K, McManus CA, Xu SJ, Zhang S, Heller EA, Shen L, Nestler EJ. Cell Type-Specific Whole-Genome Landscape of ΔFOSB Binding in the Nucleus Accumbens After Chronic Cocaine Exposure. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:367-377. [PMID: 36906500 PMCID: PMC10314970 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of neurons to respond to external stimuli involves adaptations of gene expression. Induction of the transcription factor ΔFOSB in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain reward region, is important for the development of drug addiction. However, a comprehensive map of ΔFOSB's gene targets has not yet been generated. METHODS We used CUT&RUN (cleavage under targets and release using nuclease) to map the genome-wide changes in ΔFOSB binding in the 2 main types of nucleus accumbens neurons-D1 or D2 medium spiny neurons-after chronic cocaine exposure. To annotate genomic regions of ΔFOSB binding sites, we also examined the distributions of several histone modifications. Resulting datasets were leveraged for multiple bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS The majority of ΔFOSB peaks occur outside promoter regions, including intergenic regions, and are surrounded by epigenetic marks indicative of active enhancers. BRG1, the core subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, overlaps with ΔFOSB peaks, a finding consistent with earlier studies of ΔFOSB's interacting proteins. Chronic cocaine use induces broad changes in ΔFOSB binding in both D1 and D2 nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons of male and female mice. In addition, in silico analyses predict that ΔFOSB cooperatively regulates gene expression with homeobox and T-box transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS These novel findings uncover key elements of ΔFOSB's molecular mechanisms in transcriptional regulation at baseline and in response to chronic cocaine exposure. Further characterization of ΔFOSB's collaborative transcriptional and chromatin partners specifically in D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons will reveal a broader picture of the function of ΔFOSB and the molecular basis of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Ying Yeh
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Casey K Lardner
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Angelica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Katherine Beach
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Catherine A McManus
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Song-Jun Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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13
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Ke T, Ambigapathy G, Ton T, Dhasarathy A, Carvelli L. Long-Lasting Epigenetic Changes in the Dopamine Transporter in Adult Animals Exposed to Amphetamine during Embryogenesis: Investigating Behavioral Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13092. [PMID: 37685899 PMCID: PMC10487411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713092] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine transporter (DAT) is an integral member of the dopaminergic system and is responsible for the release and reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic space into the dopaminergic neurons. DAT is also the major target of amphetamine (Amph). The effects of Amph on DAT have been intensively studied; however, the mechanisms underlying the long-term effects caused by embryonal exposure to addictive doses of Amph remain largely unexplored. As in mammals, in the nematode C. elegans Amph causes changes in locomotion which are largely mediated by the C. elegans DAT homologue, DAT-1. Here, we show that chronic embryonic exposures to Amph alter the expression of DAT-1 in adult C. elegans via long-lasting epigenetic modifications. These changes are correlated with an enhanced behavioral response to Amph in adult animals. Importantly, pharmacological and genetic intervention directed at preventing the Amph-induced epigenetic modifications occurring during embryogenesis inhibited the long-lasting behavioral effects observed in adult animals. Because many components of the dopaminergic system, as well as epigenetic mechanisms, are highly conserved between C. elegans and mammals, these results could be critical for our understanding of how drugs of abuse initiate predisposition to addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (T.K.); (T.T.)
| | - Ganesh Ambigapathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA (A.D.)
| | - Thanh Ton
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (T.K.); (T.T.)
| | - Archana Dhasarathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA (A.D.)
| | - Lucia Carvelli
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (T.K.); (T.T.)
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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14
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Phillips RA, Wan E, Tuscher JJ, Reid D, Drake OR, Ianov L, Day JJ. Temporally specific gene expression and chromatin remodeling programs regulate a conserved Pdyn enhancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.02.543489. [PMID: 37333110 PMCID: PMC10274686 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.543489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal and behavioral adaptations to novel stimuli are regulated by temporally dynamic waves of transcriptional activity, which shape neuronal function and guide enduring plasticity. Neuronal activation promotes expression of an immediate early gene (IEG) program comprised primarily of activity-dependent transcription factors, which are thought to regulate a second set of late response genes (LRGs). However, while the mechanisms governing IEG activation have been well studied, the molecular interplay between IEGs and LRGs remain poorly characterized. Here, we used transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility profiling to define activity-driven responses in rat striatal neurons. As expected, neuronal depolarization generated robust changes in gene expression, with early changes (1 h) enriched for inducible transcription factors and later changes (4 h) enriched for neuropeptides, synaptic proteins, and ion channels. Remarkably, while depolarization did not induce chromatin remodeling after 1 h, we found broad increases in chromatin accessibility at thousands of sites in the genome at 4 h after neuronal stimulation. These putative regulatory elements were found almost exclusively at non-coding regions of the genome, and harbored consensus motifs for numerous activity-dependent transcription factors such as AP-1. Furthermore, blocking protein synthesis prevented activity-dependent chromatin remodeling, suggesting that IEG proteins are required for this process. Targeted analysis of LRG loci identified a putative enhancer upstream of Pdyn (prodynorphin), a gene encoding an opioid neuropeptide implicated in motivated behavior and neuropsychiatric disease states. CRISPR-based functional assays demonstrated that this enhancer is both necessary and sufficient for Pdyn transcription. This regulatory element is also conserved at the human PDYN locus, where its activation is sufficient to drive PDYN transcription in human cells. These results suggest that IEGs participate in chromatin remodeling at enhancers and identify a conserved enhancer that may act as a therapeutic target for brain disorders involving dysregulation of Pdyn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Phillips
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ethan Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jennifer J Tuscher
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David Reid
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Olivia R Drake
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lara Ianov
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jeremy J Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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15
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Vilca S, Wahlestedt C, Izenwasser S, Gainetdinov RR, Pardo M. Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats Display Epigenetic Alterations in Response to Cocaine Exposure. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1107. [PMID: 37509143 PMCID: PMC10377455 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071107] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: There is an urgent need for effective treatments for cocaine use disorder (CUD), and new pharmacological approaches targeting epigenetic mechanisms appear to be promising options for the treatment of this disease. Dopamine Transporter (DAT) transgenic rats recently have been proposed as a new animal model for studying susceptibility to CUD. (2) Methods: DAT transgenic rats were treated chronically with cocaine (10 mg/kg) for 8 days, and the expression of epigenetic modulators, Lysine Demethylase 6B (KDM6B) and Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), was examined in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). (3) Results: We show that only full knockout (KO) of DAT impacts basal levels of KDM6B in females. Additionally, cocaine altered the expression of both epigenetic markers in a sex- and genotype-dependent manner. In response to chronic cocaine, KDM6B expression was decreased in male rats with partial DAT mutation (HET), while no changes were observed in wild-type (WT) or KO rats. Indeed, while HET male rats have reduced KDM6B and BRD4 expression, HET female rats showed increased KDM6B and BRD4 expression levels, highlighting the impact of sex on epigenetic mechanisms in response to cocaine. Finally, both male and female KO rats showed increased expression of BRD4, but only KO females exhibited significantly increased KDM6B expression in response to cocaine. Additionally, the magnitude of these effects was bigger in females when compared to males for both epigenetic enzymes. (4) Conclusions: This preliminary study provides additional support that targeting KDM6B and/or BRD4 may potentially be therapeutic in treating addiction-related behaviors in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.V.); (C.W.); (S.I.)
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.V.); (C.W.); (S.I.)
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Sari Izenwasser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.V.); (C.W.); (S.I.)
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7-9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Marta Pardo
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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16
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Browne CJ, Futamura R, Minier-Toribio A, Hicks EM, Ramakrishnan A, Martínez-Rivera FJ, Estill M, Godino A, Parise EM, Torres-Berrío A, Cunningham AM, Hamilton PJ, Walker DM, Huckins LM, Hurd YL, Shen L, Nestler EJ. Transcriptional signatures of heroin intake and relapse throughout the brain reward circuitry in male mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg8558. [PMID: 37294757 PMCID: PMC10256172 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) looms as one of the most severe medical crises facing society. More effective therapeutics will require a deeper understanding of molecular changes supporting drug-taking and relapse. Here, we develop a brain reward circuit-wide atlas of opioid-induced transcriptional regulation by combining RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and heroin self-administration in male mice modeling multiple OUD-relevant conditions: acute heroin exposure, chronic heroin intake, context-induced drug-seeking following abstinence, and relapse. Bioinformatics analysis of this rich dataset identified numerous patterns of transcriptional regulation, with both region-specific and pan-circuit biological domains affected by heroin. Integration of RNA-seq data with OUD-relevant behavioral outcomes uncovered region-specific molecular changes and biological processes that predispose to OUD vulnerability. Comparisons with human OUD RNA-seq and genome-wide association study data revealed convergent molecular abnormalities and gene candidates with high therapeutic potential. These studies outline molecular reprogramming underlying OUD and provide a foundational resource for future investigations into mechanisms and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J. Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angélica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily M. Hicks
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Freddyson J. Martínez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric M. Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angélica Torres-Berrío
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley M. Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter J. Hamilton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Deena M. Walker
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Laura M. Huckins
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale Center for Genomic Health, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yasmin L. Hurd
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Emerson SD, Chevée M, Mews P, Calipari ES. The transcriptional response to acute cocaine is inverted in male mice with a history of cocaine self-administration and withdrawal throughout the mesocorticolimbic system. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103823. [PMID: 36868542 PMCID: PMC10247534 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103823] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A large body of work has demonstrated that cocaine-induced changes in transcriptional regulation play a central role in the onset and maintenance of cocaine use disorder. An underappreciated aspect of this area of research, however, is that the pharmacodynamic properties of cocaine can change depending on an organism's previous drug-exposure history. In this study, we utilized RNA sequencing to characterize how the transcriptome-wide effects of acute cocaine exposure were altered by a history of cocaine self-administration and long-term withdrawal (30 days) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in male mice. First, we found that the gene expression patterns induced by a single cocaine injection (10 mg/kg) were discordant between cocaine-naïve mice and mice in withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. Specifically, the same genes that were upregulated by acute cocaine in cocaine-naïve mice were downregulated by the same dose of cocaine in mice undergoing long-term withdrawal; the same pattern of opposite regulation was observed for the genes downregulated by initial acute cocaine exposure. When we analyzed this dataset further, we found that the gene expression patterns that were induced by long-term withdrawal from cocaine self-administration showed a high degree of overlap with the gene expression patterns of acute cocaine exposure - even though animals had not consumed cocaine in 30 days. Interestingly, cocaine re-exposure at this withdrawal time point reversed this expression pattern. Finally, we found that this pattern was similar across the VTA, PFC, NAc, and within each brain region the same genes were induced by acute cocaine, re-induced during long-term withdrawal, and reversed by cocaine re-exposure. Together, we identified a longitudinal pattern of gene regulation that is conserved across the VTA, PFC, and NAc, and characterized the genes constituting this pattern in each brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soren D Emerson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maxime Chevée
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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18
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Cheng J, He Z, Chen Q, Lin J, Peng Y, Zhang J, Yan X, Yan J, Niu S. Histone modifications in cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16407. [PMID: 37265630 PMCID: PMC10230207 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids are leading causes of drug abuse-related deaths worldwide. In recent decades, several studies revealed the connection between and epigenetics. Neural cells acquire epigenetic alterations that drive the onset and progress of the SUD by modifying the histone residues in brain reward circuitry. Histone modifications, especially acetylation and methylation, participate in the regulation of gene expression. These alterations, as well as other host and microenvironment factors, are associated with a serious of negative neurocognitive disfunctions in various patient populations. In this review, we highlight the evidence that substantially increase the field's ability to understand the molecular actions underlying SUD and summarize the potential approaches for SUD pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhe Cheng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Clinical Medicine Eight-Year Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziping He
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Clinical Medicine Eight-Year Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Jiang Lin
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Yilin Peng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Jinlong Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Xisheng Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wuhan Third Hospital & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430074, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Shuliang Niu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830001, China
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19
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Malik JA, Agrewala JN. Future perspectives of emerging novel drug targets and immunotherapies to control drug addiction. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 119:110210. [PMID: 37099943 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is one of the major mental illnesses that is terrifically intensifying worldwide. It is becoming overwhelming due to limited options for treatment. The complexity of addiction disorders is the main impediment to understanding the pathophysiology of the illness. Hence, unveiling the complexity of the brain through basic research, identification of novel signaling pathways, the discovery of new drug targets, and advancement in cutting-edge technologies will help control this disorder. Additionally, there is a great hope of controlling the SUDs through immunotherapeutic measures like therapeutic antibodies and vaccines. Vaccines have played a cardinal role in eliminating many diseases like polio, measles, and smallpox. Further, vaccines have controlled many diseases like cholera, dengue, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), human papillomavirus, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, etc. Recently, COVID-19 was controlled in many countries by vaccination. Currently, continuous effort is done to develop vaccines against nicotine, cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Antibody therapy against SUDs is another important area where serious attention is required. Antibodies have contributed substantially against many serious diseases like diphtheria, rabies, Crohn's disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and bladder cancer. Antibody therapy is gaining immense momentum due to its success rate in cancer treatment. Furthermore, enormous advancement has been made in antibody therapy due to the generation of high-efficiency humanized antibodies with a long half-life. The advantage of antibody therapy is its instant outcome. This article's main highlight is discussing the drug targets of SUDs and their associated mechanisms. Importantly, we have also discussed the scope of prophylactic measures to eliminate drug dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonaid Ahmad Malik
- Immunology laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India
| | - Javed N Agrewala
- Immunology laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India.
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20
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Choi EY, Franco D, Stapf CA, Gordin M, Chow A, Cover KK, Chandra R, Lobo MK. Inducible CRISPR Epigenome Systems Mimic Cocaine Induced Bidirectional Regulation of Nab2 and Egr3. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2242-2259. [PMID: 36849419 PMCID: PMC10072301 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1802-22.2022] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is a chronic disease and a leading cause of disability around the world. The NAc is a major brain hub mediating reward behavior. Studies demonstrate exposure to cocaine is associated with molecular and functional imbalance in NAc medium spiny neuron subtypes (MSNs), dopamine receptor 1 and 2 enriched D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs. We previously reported repeated cocaine exposure induced transcription factor early growth response 3 (Egr3) mRNA in NAc D1-MSNs, and reduced it in D2-MSNs. Here, we report our findings of repeated cocaine exposure in male mice inducing MSN subtype-specific bidirectional expression of the Egr3 corepressor NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (Nab2). Using CRISPR activation and interference (CRISPRa and CRISPRi) tools combined with Nab2 or Egr3-targeted sgRNAs, we mimicked these bidirectional changes in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, we investigated D1-MSN- and D2-MSN-specific expressional changes of histone lysine demethylases Kdm1a, Kdm6a, and Kdm5c in NAc after repeated cocaine exposure in male mice. Since Kdm1a showed bidirectional expression patterns in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs, like Egr3, we developed a light-inducible Opto-CRISPR-KDM1a system. We were able to downregulate Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts in Neuro2A cells and cause similar bidirectional expression changes we observed in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs of mouse repeated cocaine exposure model. Contrastingly, our Opto-CRISPR-p300 activation system induced the Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts and caused opposite bidirectional transcription regulations. Our study sheds light on the expression patterns of Nab2 and Egr3 in specific NAc MSNs in cocaine action and uses CRISPR tools to further mimic these expression patterns.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Substance use disorder is a major societal issue. The lack of medication to treat cocaine addiction desperately calls for a treatment development based on precise understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction. In this study, we show that Egr3 and Nab2 are bidirectionally regulated in mouse NAc D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Furthermore, histone lysine demethylations enzymes with putative EGR3 binding sites showed bidirectional regulation in D1- and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Using Cre- and light-inducible CRISPR tools, we show that we can mimic this bidirectional regulation of Egr3 and Nab2 in Neuro2a cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Catherine A Stapf
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | | | | | - Kara K Cover
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources, Virus Vector Core, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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21
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Fox ME, Wulff AB, Franco D, Choi EY, Calarco CA, Engeln M, Turner MD, Chandra R, Rhodes VM, Thompson SM, Ament SA, Lobo MK. Adaptations in Nucleus Accumbens Neuron Subtypes Mediate Negative Affective Behaviors in Fentanyl Abstinence. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:489-501. [PMID: 36435669 PMCID: PMC9931633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid discontinuation generates a withdrawal syndrome marked by increased negative affect. Increased symptoms of anxiety and dysphoria during opioid discontinuation are significant barriers to achieving long-term abstinence in opioid-dependent individuals. While adaptations in the nucleus accumbens are implicated in opioid abstinence syndrome, the precise neural mechanisms are poorly understood. Additionally, our current knowledge is limited to changes following natural and semisynthetic opioids, despite recent increases in synthetic opioid use and overdose. METHODS We used a combination of cell subtype-specific viral labeling and electrophysiology in male and female mice to investigate structural and functional plasticity in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes after fentanyl abstinence. We characterized molecular adaptations after fentanyl abstinence with subtype-specific RNA sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We used viral-mediated gene transfer to manipulate the molecular signature of fentanyl abstinence in D1-MSNs. RESULTS Here, we show that fentanyl abstinence increases anxiety-like behavior, decreases social interaction, and engenders MSN subtype-specific plasticity in both sexes. D1-MSNs, but not D2-MSNs, exhibit dendritic atrophy and an increase in excitatory drive. We identified a cluster of coexpressed dendritic morphology genes downregulated selectively in D1-MSNs that are transcriptionally coregulated by E2F1. E2f1 expression in D1-MSNs protects against loss of dendritic complexity, altered physiology, and negative affect-like behaviors caused by fentanyl abstinence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that fentanyl abstinence causes unique structural, functional, and molecular changes in nucleus accumbens D1-MSNs that can be targeted to alleviate negative affective symptoms during abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Fox
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Andreas B Wulff
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Seth A Ament
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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22
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Mews P, Cunningham AM, Scarpa J, Ramakrishnan A, Hicks EM, Bolnick S, Garamszegi S, Shen L, Mash DC, Nestler EJ. Convergent abnormalities in striatal gene networks in human cocaine use disorder and mouse cocaine administration models. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8946. [PMID: 36763659 PMCID: PMC9916993 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is an intractable syndrome, and rising overdose death rates represent a substantial public health crisis that exacts tremendous personal and financial costs on patients and society. Sharp increases in cocaine use drive the urgent need for better mechanistic insight into this chronic relapsing brain disorder that currently lacks effective treatment options. To investigate the transcriptomic changes involved, we conducted RNA sequencing on two striatal brain regions that are heavily implicated in CUD, the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus, from men suffering from CUD and matched controls. Weighted gene coexpression analyses identified CUD-specific gene networks enriched in ionotropic receptors and linked to lowered neuroinflammation, contrasting the proinflammatory responses found in opioid use disorder. Integration of comprehensive transcriptomic datasets from mouse cocaine self-administration models revealed evolutionarily conserved gene networks in CUD that implicate especially D1 medium spiny neurons as drivers of cocaine-induced plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley M. Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Scarpa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily M. Hicks
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Bolnick
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susanna Garamszegi
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah C. Mash
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Browne CJ, Futamura R, Minier-Toribio A, Hicks EM, Ramakrishnan A, Martínez-Rivera F, Estill M, Godino A, Parise EM, Torres-Berrío A, Cunningham AM, Hamilton PJ, Walker DM, Huckins LM, Hurd YL, Shen L, Nestler EJ. Transcriptional signatures of heroin intake and seeking throughout the brain reward circuit. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.11.523688. [PMID: 36711574 PMCID: PMC9882165 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.11.523688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) looms as one of the most severe medical crises currently facing society. More effective therapeutics for OUD requires in-depth understanding of molecular changes supporting drug-taking and relapse. Recent efforts have helped advance these aims, but studies have been limited in number and scope. Here, we develop a brain reward circuit-wide atlas of opioid-induced transcriptional regulation by combining RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and heroin self-administration in male mice modeling multiple OUD-relevant conditions: acute heroin exposure, chronic heroin intake, context-induced drug-seeking following prolonged abstinence, and heroin-primed drug-seeking (i.e., "relapse"). Bioinformatics analysis of this rich dataset identified numerous patterns of molecular changes, transcriptional regulation, brain-region-specific involvement in various aspects of OUD, and both region-specific and pan-circuit biological domains affected by heroin. Integrating RNAseq data with behavioral outcomes using factor analysis to generate an "addiction index" uncovered novel roles for particular brain regions in promoting addiction-relevant behavior, and implicated multi-regional changes in affected genes and biological processes. Comparisons with RNAseq and genome-wide association studies from humans with OUD reveal convergent molecular regulation that are implicated in drug-taking and relapse, and point to novel gene candidates with high therapeutic potential for OUD. These results outline broad molecular reprogramming that may directly promote the development and maintenance of OUD, and provide a foundational resource to the field for future research into OUD mechanisms and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Angélica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Emily M Hicks
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Dept. of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Freddyson Martínez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Eric M Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Angélica Torres-Berrío
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Ashley M Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
| | - Deena M Walker
- Dept. of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University
| | - Laura M. Huckins
- Dept. of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Dept. of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Dept. of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University
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24
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Cell-type specific profiling of histone post-translational modifications in the adult mouse striatum. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7720. [PMID: 36513652 PMCID: PMC9747932 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35384-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic gene regulation in the heterogeneous brain remains challenging to decipher with current strategies. Bulk tissue analysis from pooled subjects reflects the average of cell-type specific changes across cell-types and individuals, which obscures causal relationships between epigenetic modifications, regulation of gene expression, and complex pathology. To address these limitations, we optimized a hybrid protocol, ICuRuS, for the isolation of nuclei tagged in specific cell-types and histone post translational modification profiling from the striatum of a single mouse. We combined affinity-based isolation of the medium spiny neuron subtypes, Adenosine 2a Receptor or Dopamine Receptor D1, with cleavage of histone-DNA complexes using an antibody-targeted micrococcal nuclease to release DNA complexes for paired end sequencing. Unlike fluorescence activated cell sorting paired with chromatin immunoprecipitation, ICuRuS allowed for robust epigenetic profiling at cell-type specific resolution. Our analysis provides a framework to understand combinatorial relationships between neuronal-subtype-specific epigenetic modifications and gene expression.
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25
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Fischer DK, Krick KS, Han C, Woolf MT, Heller EA. Cocaine regulation of Nr4a1 chromatin bivalency and mRNA in male and female mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15735. [PMID: 36130958 PMCID: PMC9492678 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine epigenetically regulates gene expression via changes in histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). We previously found that the immediate early gene Nr4a1 is epigenetically activated by cocaine in mouse brain reward regions. However, few studies have examined multiple HPTMs at a single gene. Bivalent gene promoters are simultaneously enriched in both activating (H3K4me3 (K4)) and repressive (H3K27me3 (K27)) HPTMs. As such, bivalent genes are lowly expressed but poised for activity-dependent gene regulation. In this study, we identified K4&K27 bivalency at Nr4a1 following investigator-administered cocaine in male and female mice. We applied sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation and qPCR to define Nr4a1 bivalency and expression in striatum (STR), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and hippocampus (HPC). We used Pearson's correlation to quantify relationships within each brain region across treatment conditions for each sex. In female STR, cocaine increased Nr4a1 mRNA while maintaining Nr4a1 K4&K27 bivalency. In male STR, cocaine enriched repressive H3K27me3 and K4&K27 bivalency at Nr4a1 and maintained Nr4a1 mRNA. Furthermore, cocaine epigenetically regulated a putative NR4A1 target, Cartpt, in male PFC. This study defined the epigenetic regulation of Nr4a1 in reward brain regions in male and female mice following cocaine, and, thus, shed light on the biological relevance of sex to cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaney K Fischer
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Keegan S Krick
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chloe Han
- College of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Morgan T Woolf
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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26
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Chang XW, Sun Y, Muhai JN, Li YY, Chen Y, Lu L, Chang SH, Shi J. Common and distinguishing genetic factors for substance use behavior and disorder: an integrated analysis of genomic and transcriptomic studies from both human and animal studies. Addiction 2022; 117:2515-2529. [PMID: 35491750 DOI: 10.1111/add.15908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Genomic and transcriptomic findings greatly broaden the biological knowledge regarding substance use. However, systematic convergence and comparison evidence of genome-wide findings is lacking for substance use. Here, we combined all the genome-wide findings from both substance use behavior and disorder (SUBD) and identified common and distinguishing genetic factors for different SUBDs. METHODS Systemic literature search for genome-wide association (GWAS) and RNA-seq studies of alcohol/nicotine/drug use behavior (partially meets or not reported diagnostic criteria) and alcohol use behavior and disorder (AUBD), nicotine use behavior and disorder (NUBD) and drug use behavior and disorder (DUBD) was performed using PubMed and the GWAS catalog. Drug use was focused upon cannabis, opioid, cocaine and methamphetamine use. GWAS studies required case-control or case/cohort samples. RNA-seq studies were based on brain tissues. The genes which contained significant single nucleotide polymorphism (P ≤ 1 × 10-6 ) in GWAS and reported as significant in RNA-seq studies were extracted. Pathway enrichment was performed by using Metascape. Gene interaction networks were identified by using the Protein Interaction Network Analysis database. RESULTS Total SUBD-related 2910 genes were extracted from 75 GWAS studies (2 773 889 participants) and 17 RNA-seq studies. By overlapping the genes and pathways of AUBD, NUBD and DUBD, four shared genes (CACNB2, GRIN2B, PLXDC2 and PKNOX2), four shared pathways [two Gene Ontology (GO) terms of 'modulation of chemical synaptic transmission', 'regulation of trans-synaptic signaling', two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of 'dopaminergic synapse', 'cocaine addiction'] were identified (significantly higher than random, P < 1 × 10-5 ). The top shared KEGG pathways (Benjamini-Hochberg-corrected P-value < 0.05) in the pairwise comparison of AUBD versus DUBD, NUBD versus DUBD, AUBD versus NUBD were 'Epstein-Barr virus infection', 'protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum' and 'neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction', respectively. We also identified substance-specific genetic factors: i.e. ADH1B and ALDH2 were unique for AUBD, while CHRNA3 and CHRNA4 were unique for NUBD. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review identifies the shared and unique genes and pathways for alcohol, nicotine and drug use behaviors and disorders at the genome-wide level and highlights critical biological processes for the common and distinguishing vulnerability of substance use behaviors and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Wen Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Na Muhai
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Yang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Su-Hua Chang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing, China.,The Key Laboratory for Neuroscience of the Ministry of Education and Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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27
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The Comprehensive Effect of Socioeconomic Deprivation on Smoking Behavior: an Observational and Genome-Wide by Environment Interaction Analyses in UK Biobank. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00876-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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28
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Anderson EM, Taniguchi M. Epigenetic Effects of Addictive Drugs in the Nucleus Accumbens. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:828055. [PMID: 35813068 PMCID: PMC9260254 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.828055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use induces long-lasting behavioral changes and drug craving. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic gene regulation contributes to the development and expression of these long-lasting behavioral alterations. Here we systematically review extensive evidence from rodent models of drug-induced changes in epigenetic regulation and epigenetic regulator proteins. We focus on histone acetylation and histone methylation in a brain region important for drug-related behaviors: the nucleus accumbens. We also discuss how experimentally altering these epigenetic regulators via systemically administered compounds or nucleus accumbens-specific manipulations demonstrate the importance of these proteins in the behavioral effects of drugs and suggest potential therapeutic value to treat people with substance use disorder. Finally, we discuss limitations and future directions for the field of epigenetic studies in the behavioral effects of addictive drugs and suggest how to use these insights to develop efficacious treatments.
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29
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Whole Genome DNA Methylation Profiling of D2 Medium Spiny Neurons in Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Using Two Independent Library Preparation Methods. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020306. [PMID: 35205351 PMCID: PMC8872013 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays essential roles in various cellular processes. Next-generation sequencing has enabled us to study the functional implication of DNA methylation across the whole genome. However, this approach usually requires a substantial amount of genomic DNA, which limits its application to defined cell types within a discrete brain region. Here, we applied two separate protocols, Accel-NGS Methyl-Seq (AM-seq) and Enzymatic Methyl-seq (EM-seq), to profile the methylome of D2 dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) in mouse nucleus accumbens (NAc). Using 40 ng DNA extracted from FACS-isolated D2-MSNs, we found that both methods yielded comparably high-quality methylome data. Additionally, we identified numerous unmethylated regions (UMRs) as cell type-specific regulatory regions. By comparing the NAc D2-MSN methylome with the published methylomes of mouse prefrontal cortex excitatory neurons and neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we identified numerous differentially methylated CpG and non-CpG regions. Our study not only presents a comparison of these two low-input DNA whole genome methylation profiling protocols, but also provides a resource of DNA methylome of mouse accumbal D2-MSNs, a neuron type that has critical roles in addiction and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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30
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Teague CD, Nestler EJ. Key transcription factors mediating cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:687-709. [PMID: 34079067 PMCID: PMC8636523 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Repeated cocaine use induces coordinated changes in gene expression that drive plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an important component of the brain's reward circuitry, and promote the development of maladaptive, addiction-like behaviors. Studies on the molecular basis of cocaine action identify transcription factors, a class of proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences and regulate transcription, as critical mediators of this cocaine-induced plasticity. Early methods to identify and study transcription factors involved in addiction pathophysiology primarily relied on quantifying the expression of candidate genes in bulk brain tissue after chronic cocaine treatment, as well as conventional overexpression and knockdown techniques. More recently, advances in next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, cell-type-specific targeting, and locus-specific neuroepigenomic editing offer a more powerful, unbiased toolbox to identify the most important transcription factors that drive drug-induced plasticity and to causally define their downstream molecular mechanisms. Here, we synthesize the literature on transcription factors mediating cocaine action in the NAc, discuss the advancements and remaining limitations of current experimental approaches, and emphasize recent work leveraging bioinformatic tools and neuroepigenomic editing to study transcription factors involved in cocaine addiction.
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31
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Wildenberg G, Sorokina A, Koranda J, Monical A, Heer C, Sheffield M, Zhuang X, McGehee D, Kasthuri B. Partial connectomes of labeled dopaminergic circuits reveal non-synaptic communication and axonal remodeling after exposure to cocaine. eLife 2021; 10:71981. [PMID: 34965204 PMCID: PMC8716107 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic (DA) neurons exert profound influences on behavior including addiction. However, how DA axons communicate with target neurons and how those communications change with drug exposure remains poorly understood. We leverage cell type-specific labeling with large volume serial electron microscopy to detail DA connections in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the mouse (Mus musculus) before and after exposure to cocaine. We find that individual DA axons contain different varicosity types based on their vesicle contents. Spatially ordering along individual axons further suggests that varicosity types are non-randomly organized. DA axon varicosities rarely make specific synapses (<2%, 6/410), but instead are more likely to form spinule-like structures (15%, 61/410) with neighboring neurons. Days after a brief exposure to cocaine, DA axons were extensively branched relative to controls, formed blind-ended 'bulbs' filled with mitochondria, and were surrounded by elaborated glia. Finally, mitochondrial lengths increased by ~2.2 times relative to control only in DA axons and NAc spiny dendrites after cocaine exposure. We conclude that DA axonal transmission is unlikely to be mediated via classical synapses in the NAc and that the major locus of anatomical plasticity of DA circuits after exposure to cocaine are large-scale axonal re-arrangements with correlated changes in mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg Wildenberg
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States.,Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, United States
| | - Anastasia Sorokina
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States.,Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, United States
| | - Jessica Koranda
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Alexis Monical
- Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Chad Heer
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Mark Sheffield
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Xiaoxi Zhuang
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Daniel McGehee
- Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Bobby Kasthuri
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States.,Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, United States
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32
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Vaillancourt K, Chen GG, Fiori L, Maussion G, Yerko V, Théroux JF, Ernst C, Labonté B, Calipari E, Nestler EJ, Nagy C, Mechawar N, Mash DC, Turecki G. Methylation of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene is dysregulated by cocaine dependence in the human striatum. iScience 2021; 24:103169. [PMID: 34693223 PMCID: PMC8517202 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine dependence is a chronic, relapsing disorder caused by lasting changes in the brain. Animal studies have identified cocaine-related alterations in striatal DNA methylation; however, it is unclear how methylation is related to cocaine dependence in humans. We generated methylomic profiles of the nucleus accumbens using human postmortem brains from a cohort of individuals with cocaine dependence and healthy controls (n = 25 per group). We found hypermethylation in a cluster of CpGs within the gene body of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), containing a putative binding site for the early growth response 1 (EGR1) transcription factor, which is hypermethylated in the caudate nucleus of cocaine-dependent individuals. We replicated this finding and found it to be specific to striatal neuronal nuclei. Furthermore, this locus demonstrates enhancer activity which is attenuated by methylation and enhanced by EGR1 overexpression. These results suggest that cocaine dependence alters the epigenetic regulation of dopaminergic signaling genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Vaillancourt
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gang G. Chen
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Laura Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Volodymyr Yerko
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Théroux
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Benoit Labonté
- Centre de Recherche Cervo, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Erin Calipari
- Departments of Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corina Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Deborah C. Mash
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Verdun, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Lardner CK, van der Zee Y, Estill MS, Kronman HG, Salery M, Cunningham AM, Godino A, Parise EM, Kim JH, Neve RL, Shen L, Hamilton PJ, Nestler EJ. Gene-Targeted, CREB-Mediated Induction of ΔFosB Controls Distinct Downstream Transcriptional Patterns Within D1 and D2 Medium Spiny Neurons. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:540-549. [PMID: 34425966 PMCID: PMC8501456 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset and persistence of addiction phenotypes are, in part, mediated by transcriptional mechanisms in the brain that affect gene expression and, subsequently, neural circuitry. ΔFosB is a transcription factor that accumulates in the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-a brain region responsible for coordinating reward and motivation-after exposure to virtually every known rewarding substance, including cocaine and opioids. ΔFosB has also been shown to directly control gene transcription and behavior downstream of both cocaine and opioid exposure, but with potentially different roles in D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in NAc. METHODS To clarify MSN subtype-specific roles for ΔFosB and investigate how these coordinate the actions of distinct classes of addictive drugs in NAc, we developed a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9-based epigenome editing tool to induce endogenous ΔFosB expression in vivo in the absence of drug exposure. After inducing ΔFosB in D1- or D2-MSNs or both, we performed RNA sequencing on bulk male and female NAc tissue (n = 6-8/group). RESULTS We found that ΔFosB induction elicits distinct transcriptional profiles in NAc by MSN subtype and by sex, establishing for the first time that ΔFosB mediates different transcriptional effects in males versus females. We also demonstrated that changes in D1-MSNs, but not those in D2-MSNs or both, significantly recapitulate changes in gene expression induced by cocaine self-administration. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings demonstrate the efficacy of a novel molecular tool for studying cell type-specific transcriptional mechanisms and shed new light on the activity of ΔFosB, a critical transcriptional regulator of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey K Lardner
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Yentl van der Zee
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Molly S Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Hope G Kronman
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Marine Salery
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Ashley M Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eric M Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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34
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Xu SJ, Lombroso SI, Fischer DK, Carpenter MD, Marchione DM, Hamilton PJ, Lim CJ, Neve RL, Garcia BA, Wimmer ME, Pierce RC, Heller EA. Chromatin-mediated alternative splicing regulates cocaine-reward behavior. Neuron 2021; 109:2943-2966.e8. [PMID: 34480866 PMCID: PMC8454057 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal alternative splicing is a key gene regulatory mechanism in the brain. However, the spliceosome machinery is insufficient to fully specify splicing complexity. In considering the role of the epigenome in activity-dependent alternative splicing, we and others find the histone modification H3K36me3 to be a putative splicing regulator. In this study, we found that mouse cocaine self-administration caused widespread differential alternative splicing, concomitant with the enrichment of H3K36me3 at differentially spliced junctions. Importantly, only targeted epigenetic editing can distinguish between a direct role of H3K36me3 in splicing and an indirect role via regulation of splice factor expression elsewhere on the genome. We targeted Srsf11, which was both alternatively spliced and H3K36me3 enriched in the brain following cocaine self-administration. Epigenetic editing of H3K36me3 at Srsf11 was sufficient to drive its alternative splicing and enhanced cocaine self-administration, establishing the direct causal relevance of H3K36me3 to alternative splicing of Srsf11 and to reward behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Jun Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sonia I Lombroso
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Delaney K Fischer
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marco D Carpenter
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dylan M Marchione
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Carissa J Lim
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rachel L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA
| | - R Christopher Pierce
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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35
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Bali P, Kenny PJ. Gene splicing SETs the scene for cocaine addiction. Neuron 2021; 109:2802-2804. [PMID: 34534452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine triggers gene splicing in brain reward circuits, but the mechanisms and importance of this response are unclear. In this issue of Neuron, Xu et al. (2021) show that the histone modification H3K36me3 marks genes spliced in response to cocaine and, using epigenome editing, establish a causal relationship between gene splicing and addiction-related behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purva Bali
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
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36
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Mervan Aytac H, Pehlivan S, Kurnaz S, Pehlivan M, Cetinay Aydin P. Association of the Uncoupling Protein 2-866 G/A Polymorphism with Family History and Duration of Tobacco Use Disorder in a Turkish Population. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2021; 31:280-285. [PMID: 38765941 PMCID: PMC11079660 DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2021.21526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A variety of substances cause neurotoxicity by increasing intracellular oxidative stress, followed by mitochondrial dysfunction. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) act as membrane transport proteins and reduce reactive oxygen products and mitochondrial calcium influx. We aimed to study UCP2-866 G/A gene polymorphism in tobacco use disorder (TUD) by comparing genotype distributions between TUD patients and healthy controls considering clinical parameters. Methods One hundred eighteen patients with TUD and 96 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The diagnosis of the patients were then confirmed, based on the DSM-5 criteria. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used to determine UCP2 gene polymorphism. Results Our results demonstrated that the UCP2 genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the TUD patient group were significantly different from those of the control group. When the UCP2 genotype and the allele frequency distributions were compared between the two groups according to the family history of TUD in the patient group, the UCP2 genotype and allele frequency distributions were significantly different. The GG genotype or G allele percentage was significantly higher in patients with a family history of TUD, than the patients without a family history of TUD. Comparing clinical parameters based on the UCP2 genotype, the disorder's duration was significantly different between the groups of UCP2 genotype. The duration of TUD was significantly shorter in patients with GG genotype than other genotypes. Conclusions In summary, the UCP2-866 G/A gene polymorphism might be associated with family history and duration of TUD in Turkish patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Mervan Aytac
- Department of Psychiatry, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sacide Pehlivan
- Department of Medical Biology, Istanbul University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selin Kurnaz
- Department of Medical Biology, Istanbul University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Pehlivan
- Department of Internal Medicine Division of Hematology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Pinar Cetinay Aydin
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Clinic, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
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37
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Behrends M, Engmann O. Loop Interrupted: Dysfunctional Chromatin Relations in Neurological Diseases. Front Genet 2021; 12:732033. [PMID: 34422024 PMCID: PMC8376151 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.732033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of genetic variants for psychiatric disorders have been found within non-coding genomic regions. Physical interactions of gene promoters with distant regulatory elements carrying risk alleles may explain how the latter affect gene expression. Recently, whole genome maps of long-range chromosomal contacts from human postmortem brains have been integrated with gene sequence and chromatin accessibility data to decipher disease-specific alterations in chromatin architecture. Cell culture and rodent models provide a causal link between chromatin conformation, long-range chromosomal contacts, gene expression, and disease phenotype. Here, we give an overview of the techniques used to study chromatin contacts and their limitations in brain research. We present evidence for three-dimensional genome changes in physiological brain function and assess how its disturbance contributes to psychiatric disorders. Lastly, we discuss remaining questions and future research directions with a focus on clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe Behrends
- Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich Schiller Universität, Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Olivia Engmann
- Jena University Hospital, Institute for Human Genetics, Thüringen, Germany
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38
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López AJ, Johnson AR, Euston TJ, Wilson R, Nolan SO, Brady LJ, Thibeault KC, Kelly SJ, Kondev V, Melugin P, Kutlu MG, Chuang E, Lam TT, Kiraly DD, Calipari ES. Cocaine self-administration induces sex-dependent protein expression in the nucleus accumbens. Commun Biol 2021; 4:883. [PMID: 34272455 PMCID: PMC8285523 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02358-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by long-lasting alterations in the neural circuitry regulating reward and motivation. Substantial work has focused on characterizing the molecular substrates that underlie these persistent changes in neural function and behavior. However, this work has overwhelmingly focused on male subjects, despite mounting clinical and preclinical evidence that females demonstrate dissimilar progression to SUD and responsivity to stimulant drugs of abuse, such as cocaine. Here, we show that sex is a critical biological variable that defines drug-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we assessed the protein expression patterns induced by cocaine self-administration and demonstrated unique molecular profiles between males and females. We show that 1. Cocaine self-administration induces non-overlapping protein expression patterns in significantly regulated proteins in males and females and 2. Critically, cocaine-induced protein regulation differentially interacts with sex to eliminate basal sexual dimorphisms in the proteome. Finally, eliminating these baseline differences in the proteome is concomitant with the elimination of sex differences in behavior for non-drug rewards. Together, these data suggest that cocaine administration is capable of rewriting basal proteomic function and reward-associated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J López
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy R Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tanner J Euston
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rashaun Wilson
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- WM Keck Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lillian J Brady
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Shannon J Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Patrick Melugin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - M Gunes Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Emily Chuang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - TuKiet T Lam
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- WM Keck Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale/NIDA Neuroproteomics Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Drew D Kiraly
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Seaver Center for Autism, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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39
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Cocaine-related DNA methylation in caudate neurons alters 3D chromatin structure of the IRXA gene cluster. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3134-3151. [PMID: 33046833 PMCID: PMC8039060 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, like those involving DNA methylation, are thought to mediate the relationship between chronic cocaine dependence and molecular changes in addiction-related neurocircuitry, but have been understudied in human brain. We initially used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to generate a methylome-wide profile of cocaine dependence in human post-mortem caudate tissue. We focused on the Iroquois Homeobox A (IRXA) gene cluster, where hypomethylation in exon 3 of IRX2 in neuronal nuclei was associated with cocaine dependence. We replicated this finding in an independent cohort and found similar results in the dorsal striatum from cocaine self-administering mice. Using epigenome editing and 3C assays, we demonstrated a causal relationship between methylation within the IRX2 gene body, CTCF protein binding, three-dimensional (3D) chromatin interaction, and gene expression. Together, these findings suggest that cocaine-related hypomethylation of IRX2 contributes to the development and maintenance of cocaine dependence through alterations in 3D chromatin structure in the caudate nucleus.
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40
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Cole SL, Chandra R, Harris M, Patel I, Wang T, Kim H, Jensen L, Russo SJ, Turecki G, Gancarz-Kausch AM, Dietz DM, Lobo MK. Cocaine-induced neuron subtype mitochondrial dynamics through Egr3 transcriptional regulation. Mol Brain 2021; 14:101. [PMID: 34187517 PMCID: PMC8240292 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial function is required for brain energy homeostasis and neuroadaptation. Recent studies demonstrate that cocaine affects mitochondrial dynamics and morphological characteristics within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Further, mitochondria are differentially regulated by cocaine in dopamine receptor-1 containing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) vs dopamine receptor-2 (D2)-MSNs. However, there is little understanding into cocaine-induced transcriptional mechanisms and their role in regulating mitochondrial processes. Here, we demonstrate that cocaine enhances binding of the transcription factor, early growth response factor 3 (Egr3), to nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial function and dynamics. Moreover, cocaine exposure regulates mRNA of these mitochondria-associated nuclear genes in both contingent or noncontingent cocaine administration and in both rodent models and human postmortem tissue. Interestingly, several mitochondrial nuclear genes showed distinct profiles of expression in D1-MSNs vs D2-MSNs, with cocaine exposure generally increasing mitochondrial-associated nuclear gene expression in D1-MSNs vs suppression in D2-MSNs. Further, blunting Egr3 expression in D1-MSNs blocks cocaine-enhancement of the mitochondrial-associated transcriptional coactivator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC1α), and the mitochondrial fission molecule, dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1). Finally, reduction of D1-MSN Egr3 expression attenuates cocaine-induced enhancement of small-sized mitochondria, causally demonstrating that Egr3 regulates mitochondrial morphological adaptations. Collectively, these studies demonstrate cocaine exposure impacts mitochondrial dynamics and morphology by Egr3 transcriptional regulation of mitochondria-related nuclear gene transcripts; indicating roles for these molecular mechanisms in neuronal function and plasticity occurring with cocaine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Cole
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Maya Harris
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ishan Patel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Torrance Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Hyunjae Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Leah Jensen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences At the Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Amy M Gancarz-Kausch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Research Institution On Addictions, State University of New York At Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Research Institution On Addictions, State University of New York At Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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Maldonado R, Calvé P, García-Blanco A, Domingo-Rodriguez L, Senabre E, Martín-García E. Genomics and epigenomics of addiction. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:128-139. [PMID: 33819378 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in the genomics and epigenomics of addiction has contributed to improving our understanding of this complex mental disorder's etiology, filling the gap between genes, environment, and behavior. We review the behavioral genetic studies reporting gene and environment interactions that explain the polygenetic contribution to the resilience and vulnerability to develop addiction. We discuss the evidence of polymorphic candidate genes that confer susceptibility to develop addiction as well as the studies of specific epigenetic marks that contribute to vulnerability and resilience to addictive-like behavior. A particular emphasis has been devoted to the miRNA changes that are considered potential biomarkers. The increasing knowledge about the technology required to alter miRNA expression may provide promising novel therapeutic tools. Finally, we give future directions for the field's progress in disentangling the connection between genes, environment, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Calvé
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandra García-Blanco
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Domingo-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eric Senabre
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-García
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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Estill M, Ribeiro E, Francoeur NJ, Smith ML, Sebra R, Yeh SY, Cunningham AM, Nestler EJ, Shen L. Long read, isoform aware sequencing of mouse nucleus accumbens after chronic cocaine treatment. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6729. [PMID: 33762610 PMCID: PMC7991652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand the full-length transcriptome of the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-a key brain reward region-in chronic cocaine treatment, we perform the first single molecule, long-read sequencing analysis using the Iso-seq method to detect 42,114 unique transcripts from mouse NAc polyadenylated RNA. Using GENCODE annotation as a reference, we find that over half of the Iso-seq derived transcripts are annotated, while 46% of them harbor novel splicing events in known genes; around 1% of them correspond to other types of novel transcripts, such as fusion, antisense and intergenic. Approximately 34% of the novel transcripts are matched with a compiled transcriptome assembled from published short-read data from various tissues, with the remaining 69% being unique to NAc. These data provide a more complete picture of the NAc transcriptome than existing annotations and can serve as a comprehensive reference for future transcriptomic analyses of this important brain reward region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA
| | - Efrain Ribeiro
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA
| | - Nancy J Francoeur
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Melissa L Smith
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Sema4, A Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, USA
| | - Szu-Ying Yeh
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA
| | - Ashley M Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, USA.
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43
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Reshetnikov VV, Kisaretova PE, Ershov NI, Merkulova TI, Bondar NP. Social defeat stress in adult mice causes alterations in gene expression, alternative splicing, and the epigenetic landscape of H3K4me3 in the prefrontal cortex: An impact of early-life stress. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110068. [PMID: 32810572 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is the leading risk factor of a broad range of severe psychopathologies. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms triggering these pathological processes are not well understood. In our study, we investigated the effects of 15-day social defeat stress (SDS) on the genome-wide landscape of trimethylation at the 4th lysine residue of histone H3 (H3K4me3) and on the transcriptome in the prefrontal cortex of mice that were reared normally (group SDS) or subjected to maternal separation early in life (group MS+SDS). The mice with the history of stress early in life showed increased susceptibility to SDS in adulthood and demonstrated long-lasting genome-wide alterations in gene expression and splicing as well as in the H3K4me3 epigenetic landscape in the prefrontal cortex. Thus, the high-throughput techniques applied here allowed us to simultaneously detect, for the first time, genome-wide epigenetic and transcriptional changes in the murine prefrontal cortex that are associated with both chronic SDS and increased susceptibility to this stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Reshetnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - P E Kisaretova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - N I Ershov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - T I Merkulova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - N P Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
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44
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Lutz PE, Chay MA, Pacis A, Chen GG, Aouabed Z, Maffioletti E, Théroux JF, Grenier JC, Yang J, Aguirre M, Ernst C, Redensek A, van Kempen LC, Yalcin I, Kwan T, Mechawar N, Pastinen T, Turecki G. Non-CG methylation and multiple histone profiles associate child abuse with immune and small GTPase dysregulation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1132. [PMID: 33602921 PMCID: PMC7892573 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21365-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) is a major predictor of psychopathology, and is thought to increase lifetime risk by epigenetically regulating the genome. Here, focusing on the lateral amygdala, a major brain site for emotional homeostasis, we describe molecular cross-talk among multiple mechanisms of genomic regulation, including 6 histone marks and DNA methylation, and the transcriptome, in subjects with a history of ELA and controls. In the healthy brain tissue, we first uncover interactions between different histone marks and non-CG methylation in the CAC context. Additionally, we find that ELA associates with methylomic changes that are as frequent in the CAC as in the canonical CG context, while these two forms of plasticity occur in sharply distinct genomic regions, features, and chromatin states. Combining these multiple data indicates that immune-related and small GTPase signaling pathways are most consistently impaired in the amygdala of ELA individuals. Overall, this work provides insights into genomic brain regulation as a function of early-life experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Eric Lutz
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marc-Aurèle Chay
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alain Pacis
- Department of Genetics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gary G Chen
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Zahia Aouabed
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Elisabetta Maffioletti
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jean-François Théroux
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jean-Christophe Grenier
- Department of Genetics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Canada
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jennie Yang
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Maria Aguirre
- Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Adriana Redensek
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Léon C van Kempen
- Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Ipek Yalcin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tony Kwan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Tomi Pastinen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
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45
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Mews P, Calipari ES, Day J, Lobo MK, Bredy T, Abel T. From Circuits to Chromatin: The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Mental Health. J Neurosci 2021; 41:873-882. [PMID: 33446519 PMCID: PMC7880276 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1649-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A central goal of neuroscience research is to understand how experiences modify brain circuits to guide future adaptive behavior. In response to environmental stimuli, neural circuit activity engages gene regulatory mechanisms within each cell. This activity-dependent gene expression is governed, in part, by epigenetic processes that can produce persistent changes in both neural circuits and the epigenome itself. The complex interplay between circuit activity and neuronal gene regulation is vital to learning and memory, and, when disrupted, is linked to debilitating psychiatric conditions, such as substance use disorder. To develop clinical treatments, it is paramount to advance our understanding of how neural circuits and the epigenome cooperate to produce behavioral adaptation. Here, we discuss how new genetic tools, used to manipulate neural circuits and chromatin, have enabled the discovery of epigenetic processes that bring about long-lasting changes in behavior relevant to mental health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10129
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Departments of Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37323
| | - Jeremy Day
- Department of Neurobiology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Timothy Bredy
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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46
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Genome-wide DNA methylation differences in nucleus accumbens of smokers vs. nonsmokers. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:554-560. [PMID: 32731254 PMCID: PMC8027202 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous DNA methylation (DNAm) biomarkers of cigarette smoking have been identified in peripheral blood studies, but because of tissue specificity, blood-based studies may not detect brain-specific smoking-related DNAm differences that may provide greater insight as neurobiological indicators of smoking and its exposure effects. We report the first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of smoking in human postmortem brain, focusing on nucleus accumbens (NAc) as a key brain region in developing and reinforcing addiction. Illumina HumanMethylation EPIC array data from 221 decedents (120 European American [23% current smokers], 101 African American [26% current smokers]) were analyzed. DNAm by smoking (current vs. nonsmoking) was tested within each ancestry group using robust linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, cell-type proportion, DNAm-derived negative control principal components (PCs), and genotype-derived PCs. The resulting ancestry-specific results were combined via meta-analysis. We extended our NAc findings, using published smoking EWAS results in blood, to identify DNAm smoking effects that are unique (tissue-specific) vs. shared between tissues (tissue-shared). We identified seven CpGs (false discovery rate < 0.05), of which three CpGs are located near genes previously indicated with blood-based smoking DNAm biomarkers: ZIC1, ZCCHC24, and PRKDC. The other four CpGs are novel for smoking-related DNAm changes: ABLIM3, APCDD1L, MTMR6, and CTCF. None of the seven smoking-related CpGs in NAc are driven by genetic variants that share association signals with predisposing genetic risk variants for smoking, suggesting that the DNAm changes reflect consequences of smoking. Our results provide the first evidence for smoking-related DNAm changes in human NAc, highlighting CpGs that were undetected as peripheral biomarkers and may reflect brain-specific responses to smoking exposure.
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47
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Agirre E, Oldfield AJ, Bellora N, Segelle A, Luco RF. Splicing-associated chromatin signatures: a combinatorial and position-dependent role for histone marks in splicing definition. Nat Commun 2021; 12:682. [PMID: 33514745 PMCID: PMC7846797 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20979-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing relies on the combinatorial recruitment of splicing regulators to specific RNA binding sites. Chromatin has been shown to impact this recruitment. However, a limited number of histone marks have been studied at a global level. In this work, a machine learning approach, applied to extensive epigenomics datasets in human H1 embryonic stem cells and IMR90 foetal fibroblasts, has identified eleven chromatin modifications that differentially mark alternatively spliced exons depending on the level of exon inclusion. These marks act in a combinatorial and position-dependent way, creating characteristic splicing-associated chromatin signatures (SACS). In support of a functional role for SACS in coordinating splicing regulation, changes in the alternative splicing of SACS-marked exons between ten different cell lines correlate with changes in SACS enrichment levels and recruitment of the splicing regulators predicted by RNA motif search analysis. We propose the dynamic nature of chromatin modifications as a mechanism to rapidly fine-tune alternative splicing when necessary. Chromatin is known to regulate splicing by modulating recruitment of splicing factors. Using machine learning approaches, the authors have underlined a chromatin code for alternative splicing regulation that is conserved amongst cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Agirre
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-University of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A J Oldfield
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-University of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | - N Bellora
- Institute of Nuclear Technologies for Health (INTECNUS), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - A Segelle
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-University of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | - R F Luco
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-University of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France.
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48
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Blum K, Gold MS, Cadet JL, Baron D, Bowirrat A, Thanos PK, Brewer R, Badgaiyan RD, Gondré-Lewis MC. Dopaminylation in Psychostimulant Use Disorder Protects Against Psychostimulant Seeking Behavior by Normalizing Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) Dopamine Expression. CURRENT PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 11:11-17. [PMID: 36046837 PMCID: PMC9426774 DOI: 10.2174/2211556009666210108112737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated cocaine administration changes histone acetylation and methylation on Lys residues and Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Recently Nestler's group explored histone Arg (R) methylation in reward processing models. Damez-Werno et al. (2016) reported that during human investigations and animal self-administration experiments, the histone mark protein-R-methyltransferase-6 (PRMT6) and asymmetric dimethylation of R2 on histone H3 (H3R2me2a) decreased in the rodent and cocaine-dependent human NAc. Overexpression of PRMT6 in D2-MSNs in all NAc neurons increased cocaine seeking, whereas PRMT6 overexpression in D1-MSNs protects against cocaine-seeking. HYPOTHESIS The hypothesis is that dopaminylation (H3R2me2a binding) occurs in psychostimulant use disorder (PSU), and the binding inhibitor Srcin1, like the major DRD2 A2 allelic polymorphism, protects against psychostimulant seeking behavior by normalizing nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine expression. DISCUSSION Numerous publications confirmed the association between the DRD2 Taq A1 allele (30-40 lower D2 receptor numbers) and severe cocaine dependence. Lepack et al. (2020) found that acute cocaine increases dopamine in NAc synapses, and results in histone H3 glutamine 5 dopaminylation (H3Q5dop) and consequent inhibition of D2 expression. The inhibition increases with chronic cocaine use and accompanies cocaine withdrawal. They also found that the Src kinase signaling inhibitor 1 (Srcin1 or p140CAP) during cocaine withdrawal reduced H3R2me2a binding. Consequently, this inhibited dopaminylation induced a "homeostatic brake." CONCLUSION The decrease in Src signaling in NAc D2-MSNs, (like the DRD2 Taq A2 allele, a well-known genetic mechanism protective against SUD) normalizes the NAc dopamine expression and decreases cocaine reward and motivation to self-administer cocaine. The Srcin1 may be an important therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University, Health Sciences, Pomona, CA., USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington, University, School of Medicine, St. louis, MO., USA
| | - Jean L. Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse/NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Baron
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University, Health Sciences, Pomona, CA., USA
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Neuroscience and Genetics, In-terdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Israel
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology & Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addiction, Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Raymond Brewer
- Division of Precision Nutrition, GARS, IP, LLC., Austin, TX., USA
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine Mt Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Marjorie C. Gondré-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, WashingtonD.C, USA
- Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, WashingtonD.C., USA
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49
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Xu H, Brown AN, Waddell NJ, Liu X, Kaplan GJ, Chitaman JM, Stockman V, Hedinger RL, Adams R, Abreu K, Shen L, Neve R, Wang Z, Nestler EJ, Feng J. Role of Long Noncoding RNA Gas5 in Cocaine Action. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:758-766. [PMID: 32711952 PMCID: PMC7584769 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of transcribed RNA molecules greater than 200 nucleotides in length. Although lncRNAs do not encode proteins, they play numerous functional roles in gene expression regulation. lncRNAs are notably abundant in brain; however, their neural functions remain largely unknown. METHODS We examined the expression of the lncRNA Gas5 in nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, of adult male mice after cocaine administration. We then performed viral-mediated overexpression of Gas5 in NAc neurons to determine its role in addiction-related behaviors. We also carried out RNA sequencing to investigate Gas5-mediated transcriptomic changes. RESULTS We demonstrated that repeated short-term or long-term cocaine administration decreased expression of Gas5 in NAc. Viral-mediated overexpression of Gas5 in NAc neurons decreased cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Likewise, Gas5 overexpression led to decreased cocaine intake, decreased motivation, and compulsive-like behavior to acquire cocaine, and it facilitated extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior. Transcriptome profiling identified numerous Gas5-mediated gene expression changes that are enriched in relevant neural function categories. Interestingly, these Gas5-regulated gene expression changes significantly overlap with chronic cocaine-induced transcriptome alterations, suggesting that Gas5 may serve as an important regulator of transcriptional responses to cocaine. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our study demonstrates a novel lncRNA-based molecular mechanism of cocaine action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Xu
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306;,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, FL 32306
| | - Amber N. Brown
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Nicholas J. Waddell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Xiaochuan Liu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Graham J. Kaplan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306;,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, FL 32306
| | - Javed M. Chitaman
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306;,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, FL 32306
| | - Victoria Stockman
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Rachel L. Hedinger
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306;,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, FL 32306
| | - Ryan Adams
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Kristen Abreu
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Rachael Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, FL 32306;,Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
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50
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Chen J, Loukola A, Gillespie NA, Peterson R, Jia P, Riley B, Maes H, Dick DM, Kendler KS, Damaj MI, Miles MF, Zhao Z, Li MD, Vink JM, Minica CC, Willemsen G, Boomsma DI, Qaiser B, Madden PAF, Korhonen T, Jousilahti P, Hällfors J, Gelernter J, Kranzler HR, Sherva R, Farrer L, Maher B, Vanyukov M, Taylor M, Ware JJ, Munafò MR, Lutz SM, Hokanson JE, Gu F, Landi MT, Caporaso NE, Hancock DB, Gaddis NC, Baker TB, Bierut LJ, Johnson EO, Chenoweth M, Lerman C, Tyndale R, Kaprio J, Chen X. Genome-Wide Meta-Analyses of FTND and TTFC Phenotypes. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:900-909. [PMID: 31294817 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION FTND (Fagerstrӧm test for nicotine dependence) and TTFC (time to smoke first cigarette in the morning) are common measures of nicotine dependence (ND). However, genome-wide meta-analysis for these phenotypes has not been reported. METHODS Genome-wide meta-analyses for FTND (N = 19,431) and TTFC (N = 18,567) phenotypes were conducted for adult smokers of European ancestry from 14 independent cohorts. RESULTS We found that SORBS2 on 4q35 (p = 4.05 × 10-8), BG182718 on 11q22 (p = 1.02 × 10-8), and AA333164 on 14q21 (p = 4.11 × 10-9) were associated with TTFC phenotype. We attempted replication of leading candidates with independent samples (FTND, N = 7010 and TTFC, N = 10 061), however, due to limited power of the replication samples, the replication of these new loci did not reach significance. In gene-based analyses, COPB2 was found associated with FTND phenotype, and TFCP2L1, RELN, and INO80C were associated with TTFC phenotype. In pathway and network analyses, we found that the interconnected interactions among the endocytosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, axon guidance, MAPK signaling, and chemokine signaling pathways were involved in ND. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses identified several promising candidates for both FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and further verification of these candidates was necessary. Candidates supported by both FTND and TTFC (CHRNA4, THSD7B, RBFOX1, and ZNF804A) were associated with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, and were associated with autism and schizophrenia. We also identified novel pathways involved in cigarette smoking. The pathway interactions highlighted the importance of receptor recycling and internalization in ND. IMPLICATIONS Understanding the genetic architecture of cigarette smoking and ND is critical to develop effective prevention and treatment. Our study identified novel candidates and biological pathways involved in FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and this will facilitate further investigation of these candidates and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchun Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
| | - Anu Loukola
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Roseann Peterson
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Peilin Jia
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Brien Riley
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Hermine Maes
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Daniella M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Kenneth S Kendler
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Michael F Miles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jacqueline M Vink
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, the Netherlands.,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Camelia C Minica
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, the Netherlands.,Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, the Netherlands.,Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, the Netherlands.,Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Beenish Qaiser
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tellervo Korhonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI, Finland.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | | | - Jenni Hällfors
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Richard Sherva
- Section of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Lindsay Farrer
- Section of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Brion Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michael Vanyukov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Michelle Taylor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol, Bristol, BS, UK
| | - Jenifer J Ware
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol, Bristol, BS, UK
| | - Marcus R Munafò
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol, Bristol, BS, UK
| | - Sharon M Lutz
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - John E Hokanson
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Fangyi Gu
- Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD
| | - Maria T Landi
- Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD
| | - Neil E Caporaso
- Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dana B Hancock
- Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Nathan C Gaddis
- Research Computing Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Timothy B Baker
- Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
| | - Laura J Bierut
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Eric O Johnson
- Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.,Fellow Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Meghan Chenoweth
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Caryn Lerman
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rachel Tyndale
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV.,Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.,Department of Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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