[Alcohol dependence mediated by monoamine neurotransmitters in the central nervous system].
Alcohol dependence, a chronic relapsing brain disease with the characteristics of drinking alcohol out of control, has become a serious social problem. Monoamine neurotransmitters, mainly including dopamine and 5-hydroxytryp¬tamine, play important roles in the occurrence, development and neural dysfunction of alcohol dependence syndrome. In this review, the roles of key factors of the monoamine system (dopamine receptor genes, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor genes, transporter genes, tyrosine hydroxylase gene, tryptophanhydroxylase gene and monoamine oxidase gene) in alcohol dependence were discussed, and strategies for further studies of molecular mechanisms were proposed based on gene knockout mice models generated in our laboratory. Then, combining with studies on tyrosine hydroxylase activator CaMKII in our lab, therapeutic targets were discussed. Besides, epigenetic strategies for prevention and treatment of alcohol dependence syndrome were proposed. Furthermore, manipulating methylation levels in gene regulatory regions and alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs might also have clinical implications. Finally, based on new findings on genetic polymorphism, it is of great potential to carry out individual prevention and treatment for patients suffering from alcohol dependence.
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine, Xi'an.
Xiaohua
X
Yang
College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an.
Huafeng
H
Zhang
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine, Xi'an.
Jianghua
J
Lai
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents