The complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environment in the predisposition to alcohol dependence
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
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Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz
2011
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| author | Adriana Díaz-Anzaldúa |
| author_facet | Adriana Díaz-Anzaldúa |
| contents | The complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environment in the predisposition to alcohol dependence Adriana Díaz-Anzaldúa Alejandro Díaz-Martínez Leonila Rosa Díaz-Martínez Medicina gene ethanol alcoholism complex traits Alcohol dependence Alcohol dependence is a major global problem, associated with lower quality of physical and mental health, higher mortality and an enormous familial and social cost. Prevention strategies and treatment of this condition are therefore crucial. Success of psychosocial programs and pharmacological treatments has been frequently reported, but a better understanding of the etiology of this chronic disease is needed. For this purpose, the identification of associated factors in different populations is of great significance. It has been clearly demonstrated by twin and adoption studies and supported by animal models that both genetic and environmental components play a substancial role in alcohol dependence. Heritability estimates range from 40 to 60%, depending on the specific analyzed sample. Several coexisting genetic variants in each affected individual, rather than a single gene transmitted in a Mendelian manner, may be the rule in alcohol dependence. Similarly, many environmental factors can increase susceptibility, and because of their diversity, they do not have to be the same in every affected person. Environmental contribution may be linked to epigenetics, which refers to chemical processes that can modify gene activity without changing the sequence of DNA. In humans, the most stable epigenetic process is the union of a methyl group (one carbon atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms) to cytosines in DNA. Other epigenetic mechanisms are modifications to nuclear proteins called histones, which alter the way DNA is packed. Moreover, non-protein coding RNAs such as microRNAs have been associated with the development of alcohol dependence. MicroRNAs could work as epigenetic intermediaries that allow ethanol to affect complex and divergent developmental mechanisms, which is added to the effect of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and other epigenetic modifications. Most reasearch points to an association between alcohol dependence and genes related with alcohol metabolism, with neurotransmission of dopamine, GABA, serotonin, glutamate, endogenous opioids, and cannabinoids, signal transduction within the mesolimbic dopamine reward system, and stress response system, among others... 2011 artículo científico 0185-3325 https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=58220799009 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=582 Salud Mental application/pdf Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz Salud Mental (México) Num.2 Vol.34 |
| format | Artículo científico |
| id | redalyc_58220799009 |
| institution | Redalyc |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| publisher | Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz |
| spellingShingle | The complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environment in the predisposition to alcohol dependence Adriana Díaz-Anzaldúa Medicina gene ethanol alcoholism complex traits Alcohol dependence The complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environment in the predisposition to alcohol dependence Adriana Díaz-Anzaldúa Alejandro Díaz-Martínez Leonila Rosa Díaz-Martínez Medicina gene ethanol alcoholism complex traits Alcohol dependence Alcohol dependence is a major global problem, associated with lower quality of physical and mental health, higher mortality and an enormous familial and social cost. Prevention strategies and treatment of this condition are therefore crucial. Success of psychosocial programs and pharmacological treatments has been frequently reported, but a better understanding of the etiology of this chronic disease is needed. For this purpose, the identification of associated factors in different populations is of great significance. It has been clearly demonstrated by twin and adoption studies and supported by animal models that both genetic and environmental components play a substancial role in alcohol dependence. Heritability estimates range from 40 to 60%, depending on the specific analyzed sample. Several coexisting genetic variants in each affected individual, rather than a single gene transmitted in a Mendelian manner, may be the rule in alcohol dependence. Similarly, many environmental factors can increase susceptibility, and because of their diversity, they do not have to be the same in every affected person. Environmental contribution may be linked to epigenetics, which refers to chemical processes that can modify gene activity without changing the sequence of DNA. In humans, the most stable epigenetic process is the union of a methyl group (one carbon atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms) to cytosines in DNA. Other epigenetic mechanisms are modifications to nuclear proteins called histones, which alter the way DNA is packed. Moreover, non-protein coding RNAs such as microRNAs have been associated with the development of alcohol dependence. MicroRNAs could work as epigenetic intermediaries that allow ethanol to affect complex and divergent developmental mechanisms, which is added to the effect of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and other epigenetic modifications. Most reasearch points to an association between alcohol dependence and genes related with alcohol metabolism, with neurotransmission of dopamine, GABA, serotonin, glutamate, endogenous opioids, and cannabinoids, signal transduction within the mesolimbic dopamine reward system, and stress response system, among others... 2011 artículo científico 0185-3325 https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=58220799009 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=582 Salud Mental application/pdf Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz Salud Mental (México) Num.2 Vol.34 |
| title | The complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environment in the predisposition to alcohol dependence |
| topic | Medicina gene ethanol alcoholism complex traits Alcohol dependence |
| url | https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=58220799009 |