SNPs in CHRNA6 and CHRNB3 are associated with alcohol consumption in a nationally representative sample.
The CHRNA6 and CHRNB3 genes have been associated with nicotine dependence and early subjective response to nicotine. Here we present evidence, using a nationally representative sample of adults, that this region is also associated with alcohol behaviors. Six SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) spanning the CHRNB3/A6 genes were analyzed using the statistical genetics software FBAT-PC, which allows one to examine a collection of multiple phenotypes to generate a maximally heritable composite phenotype for each SNP. The six SNPs were tested using FBAT-PC including four alcohol phenotypes: average number of drinks, blackouts, total number of DSM-IV abuse and dependence symptoms endorsed, and quit attempts. Three SNPs in CHRNA6 (rs1072003, P = 0.015; rs892413, P = 0.0033 and rs2304297, P = 0.012) and one SNP in CHRNB3 (rs13280604, P = 0.0053) were associated with a composite of the alcohol phenotypes. The association was primarily driven by the average number of drinks.
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Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
Corley
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McQueen
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Huizinga
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D
Menard
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Ehringer
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D014481:United States
C470410:CHRNA6 protein, human; C539371:CHRNB3 protein, human; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic