title: Mitoepigenetics and drug addiction.
abstract: Being the center of energy production in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria are also crucial for various cellular processes including intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondria contain their own circular DNA which encodes not only proteins, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNAs but also non-coding RNAs. The most recent line of evidence indicates the presence of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); thus, the level of gene expression - in a way similar to nuclear DNA - can be regulated by direct epigenetic modifications. Up to now, very little data shows the possibility of epigenetic regulation of mtDNA. Mitochondria and mtDNA are particularly important in the nervous system and may participate in the initiation of drug addiction. In fact, some addictive drugs enhance ROS production and generate oxidative stress that in turn alters mitochondrial and nuclear gene expression. This review summarizes recent findings on mitochondrial function, mtDNA copy number and epigenetics in drug addiction.
authors: Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: annasc@if-pan.krakow.pl.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Sadakierska-Chudy
authors: Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Frankowska
authors: Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Filip
mesh_terms: D044503:5-Methylcytosine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; C011865:5-hydroxymethylcytosine; D000431:Ethanol; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D009020:Morphine; D003596:Cytosine; D003042:Cocaine
keywords: DNA methylation; Drug addiction; Epigenetics; Mitochondrial genome; Oxidative stress