Chronic smoking and alcoholism change expression of selective genes in the human prefrontal cortex.
BACKGROUND
Alcoholism is commonly associated with chronic smoking. A number of gene expression profiles of regions within the human mesocorticolimbic system have identified potential alcohol-sensitive genes; however, the influence of smoking on these changes was not taken into account. This study addressed the impact of alcohol and smoking on the expression of 4 genes, previously identified as alcoholism-sensitive, in the human prefrontal cortex (PFC).


METHODS
mRNA expression of apolipoprotein D, tissue inhibitor of the metalloproteinase 3, high-affinity glial glutamate transporter and midkine, was measured in the PFC of alcoholic subjects and controls with and without smoking comorbidity using real-time polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
The results show that alcohol affects transcription of some of these genes. Additionally, smoking has a marked influence on gene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
This study emphasizes the need for careful case selection in future gene expression studies to delineate the adaptive molecular process associated with smoking and alcohol.
Flatscher-Bader
Traute
T
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD, Australia. s4033784@student.uq.edu.au
Wilce
Peter A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078792:Midkine; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 / Q000235:genetics
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D016207:Cytokines; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493394:SLC1A3 protein, human; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3; D000078792:Midkine