title: Transgenic over expression of nicotinic receptor alpha 5, alpha 3, and beta 4 subunit genes reduces ethanol intake in mice.
abstract: Abuse of alcohol and smoking are extensively co-morbid. Some studies suggest partial commonality of action of alcohol and nicotine mediated through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We tested mice with transgenic over expression of the alpha 5, alpha 3, beta 4 receptor subunit genes, which lie in a cluster on human chromosome 15, that were previously shown to have increased nicotine self-administration, for several responses to ethanol. Transgenic and wild-type mice did not differ in sensitivity to several acute behavioral responses to ethanol. However, transgenic mice drank less ethanol than wild-type in a two-bottle (ethanol vs. water) preference test. These results suggest a complex role for this receptor subunit gene cluster in the modulation of ethanol's as well as nicotine's effects.
authors.affiliation: Genes and Disease Program, Center for Genomic Regulation, UPF, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Medina
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Valverde
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molas
authors.forename: Noemí
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sabrià
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Crabbe
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dierssen
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D057897:Reflex, Righting / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C447158:CHRNA5 protein, human; C447159:CHRNB4 protein, human