DNA hypermethylation of the alpha synuclein promoter in patients with alcoholism.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the DNA methylation pattern within the alpha synuclein promoter region is altered in intoxicated and early abstinence patients with alcoholism undergoing alcohol withdrawal. We observed a significant increase of the alpha synuclein promoter DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism which was significantly associated with their elevated homocysteine levels. No significant differences of the promoter DNA methylation within a control gene (presenilin-1) in alcoholics and controls were found. The present results hint to a gene specific DNA promoter hypermethylation within the alpha synuclein gene. Since hypermethylation of DNA is an important epigenetic factor in the down regulation of gene expression and since alpha synuclein has been linked to craving these findings may explain the reduced value of craving under alcohol drinking conditions.
Bönsch
Dominikus
D
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6-10, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Lenz
Bernd
B
Kornhuber
Johannes
J
Bleich
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019175:DNA Methylation; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D051843:Synucleins; D013695:Temperance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D006710:Homocysteine