Epigenetic mechanisms in drug addiction.
Changes in gene expression in brain reward regions are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and persistence of drug addiction. Recent studies have begun to focus on the molecular mechanisms by which drugs of abuse and related environmental stimuli, such as drug-associated cues or stress, converge on the genome to alter specific gene programs. Increasing evidence suggests that these stable gene expression changes in neurons are mediated in part by epigenetic mechanisms that alter chromatin structure on specific gene promoters. This review discusses recent findings from behavioral, molecular and bioinformatic approaches being used to understand the complex epigenetic regulation of gene expression by drugs of abuse. This novel mechanistic insight might open new avenues for improved treatments of drug addiction.
Renthal
William
W
Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA.
Nestler
Eric J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D014157:Transcription Factors