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Li D, Sulovari A, Cheng C, Zhao H, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Association of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α2 gene (GABRA2) with alcohol use disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:907-18. [PMID: 24136292 PMCID: PMC3924525 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in mammalian brain. GABA receptor are involved in a number of complex disorders, including substance abuse. No variants of the commonly studied GABA receptor genes that have been associated with substance dependence have been determined to be functional or pathogenic. To reconcile the conflicting associations with substance dependence traits, we performed a meta-analysis of variants in the GABAA receptor genes (GABRB2, GABRA6, GABRA1, and GABRG2 on chromosome 5q and GABRA2 on chromosome 4p12) using genotype data from 4739 cases of alcohol, opioid, or methamphetamine dependence and 4924 controls. Then, we combined the data from candidate gene association studies in the literature with two alcohol dependence (AD) samples, including 1691 cases and 1712 controls from the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE), and 2644 cases and 494 controls from our own study. Using a Bonferroni-corrected threshold of 0.007, we found strong associations between GABRA2 and AD (P=9 × 10(-6) and odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.27 (1.15, 1.4) for rs567926, P=4 × 10(-5) and OR=1.21 (1.1, 1.32) for rs279858), and between GABRG2 and both dependence on alcohol and dependence on heroin (P=0.0005 and OR=1.22 (1.09, 1.37) for rs211014). Significant association was also observed between GABRA6 rs3219151 and AD. The GABRA2 rs279858 association was observed in the SAGE data sets with a combined P of 9 × 10(-6) (OR=1.17 (1.09, 1.26)). When all of these data sets, including our samples, were meta-analyzed, associations of both GABRA2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms remained (for rs567926, P=7 × 10(-5) (OR=1.18 (1.09, 1.29)) in all the studies, and P=8 × 10(-6) (OR=1.25 (1.13, 1.38)) in subjects of European ancestry and for rs279858, P=5 × 10(-6) (OR=1.18 (1.1, 1.26)) in subjects of European ancestry. Findings from this extensive meta-analysis of five GABAA receptor genes and substance abuse support their involvement (with the best evidence for GABRA2) in the pathogenesis of AD. Further replications with larger samples are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Neuroscience, Behavior, and Health Initiative, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Arvis Sulovari
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
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Dick DM, Plunkett J, Wetherill LF, Xuei X, Goate A, Hesselbrock V, Schuckit M, Crowe R, Edenberg HJ, Foroud T. Association between GABRA1 and drinking behaviors in the collaborative study on the genetics of alcoholism sample. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2006; 30:1101-10. [PMID: 16792556 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00136.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wealth of literature supports the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in neurobiological pathways contributing to alcohol dependence and related phenotypes. Animal studies have consistently tied rodent homologs of the GABAA receptor genes on human chromosome 5q to alcohol-related behaviors; however, human studies have produced mixed results. Family-based association analyses previously conducted in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) sample yielded no evidence of association with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-fourth edition (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence and these genes. As a follow-up to that study, we examined several alcohol-related behaviors in the COGA sample as follows: (1) a broader definition of alcohol dependence, including DSM-III-R symptoms and Feighner criteria (referred to as COGA alcohol dependence); (2) withdrawal; (3) history of alcohol-induced blackouts; (4) level of response to alcohol; (5) age of onset of regular drinking; and (6) age at first drunkenness. METHODS Family-based association tests were conducted, using multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each of the 4 GABAA receptor genes on chromosome 5q. RESULTS In GABRA1, we found evidence of association with several of the drinking behavior phenotypes, including COGA alcohol dependence, history of blackouts, age at first drunkenness, and level of response to alcohol. We did not find consistent evidence of association with the remaining genes and any of the phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence for association between GABRA1 and COGA alcohol dependence, history of blackouts, age at first drunkenness, and level of response to alcohol. These analyses suggest that efforts to characterize genetic contributions to alcohol dependence may benefit by examining alcohol-related behaviors in addition to clinical alcohol dependence diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
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Puljak L, Kilic G. Emerging roles of chloride channels in human diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2006; 1762:404-13. [PMID: 16457993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2005.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2005] [Revised: 11/18/2005] [Accepted: 12/12/2005] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, there has been remarkable progress in understanding of the roles of Cl(-) channels in the development of human diseases. Genetic studies in humans have identified mutations in the genes encoding Cl(-) channels which lead to a loss of Cl(-) channel activity. These mutations are responsible for the development of a variety of deleterious diseases in muscle, kidney, bone and brain including myotonia congenita, dystrophia myotonica, cystic fibrosis, osteopetrosis and epilepsy. Recent studies indicate that some diseases may develop as a result of Cl(-) channel activation. There is growing evidence that the progression of glioma in the brain and the growth of the malaria parasite in red blood cells may be mediated through Cl(-) channel activation. These findings suggest that Cl(-) channels may be novel targets for the pharmacological treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. This review discusses the proposed roles of abnormal Cl(-) channel activity in the pathogenesis of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Puljak
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8887, USA
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Dick DM, Edenberg HJ, Xuei X, Goate A, Hesselbrock V, Schuckit M, Crowe R, Foroud T. No association of the GABAA receptor genes on chromosome 5 with alcoholism in the collaborative study on the genetics of alcoholism sample. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2005; 132B:24-8. [PMID: 15690551 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A substantial body of literature suggests that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be involved in the neurochemical pathways contributing to alcohol use and related disorders. Chromosome 5 contains a cluster of GABA(A) receptor genes, GABRA1, GABRA6, GABRB2, and GABRG2, which have been among the most extensively studied in relation to alcohol use. These studies have yielded mixed results. Using data from large, multiplex alcoholic families collected as part of the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), we sought to provide more conclusive evidence regarding the role of the GABA(A) receptor genes on chromosome 5. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested in each of the four chromosome 5q GABA(A) receptor genes, and we conducted both classic trio-based association analyzes and extended pedigree analyzes. We found no consistent evidence of association with alcohol dependence or alcohol dependence comorbid with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) for any of the regions tested in the chromosome 5 GABA(A) receptor genes. These analyses suggest that the GABA(A) receptor genes on chromosome 5 do not play a strong role in alcohol dependence. Future studies are planned to test whether these genes are more important in influencing behavioral endophenotypes related to the risk of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Dick
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 975 West Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-525, USA
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Abstract
The glucocorticoid component of the stress response has been the subject of intense scientific scrutiny because of the wide ranging pathological consequences resulting from excess glucocorticoid exposure, including mood and anxiety disorders, and cognitive impairment. Exposure to stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic adrenomedullary system, which are regulated by neuronal pathways, including the inhibitory GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system. Approximately 60% of the variance in glucocorticod levels may be attributable to genetic individual differences. In the present study, 56 healthy subjects underwent genotyping to determine the influence of the T1521C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the GABA(A)alpha6 receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) on the hormonal and autonomic responses to psychological stress induced by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure responses to the TSST were significantly greater in subjects homozygous for the T allele or heterozygous compared to subjects homozygous for the C allele. Behavioral data was collected employing the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R); subjects homozygous for the C allele scored significantly lower on the Extraversion factor compared to subjects homozygous for the T allele or heterozygous. These results suggest that the T1521C polymorphism in the GABRA6 gene is associated with specific personality characteristics as well as a marked attenuation in hormonal and blood pressure responses to psychological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Uhart
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Dick DM, Foroud T. Candidate genes for alcohol dependence: a review of genetic evidence from human studies. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2003; 27:868-79. [PMID: 12766633 DOI: 10.1097/01.alc.0000065436.24221.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Dick
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 975 W. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-0525, USA
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Chang YT, Sun HS, Fann CSJ, Chang CJ, Liao ZH, Huang JL, Loh EW, Yu WY, Cheng ATA. Association of the gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor gene cluster with alcohol dependence in Taiwanese Han. Mol Psychiatry 2003; 7:828-9. [PMID: 12232773 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Song J, Koller DL, Foroud T, Carr K, Zhao J, Rice J, Nurnberger JI, Begleiter H, Porjesz B, Smith TL, Schuckit MA, Edenberg HJ. Association of GABA(A) receptors and alcohol dependence and the effects of genetic imprinting. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2003; 117B:39-45. [PMID: 12555233 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.10022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
GABA receptor genes have been postulated as candidates affecting the risk for alcoholism. The potential association between genes encoding five subunits of the GABA(A) receptors and alcoholism (alcohol dependence) was analyzed in the multiplex alcoholic pedigrees collected by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) using family-based association tests. We found consistent, although weak, linkage disequilibrium between GABRB1 (located on chromosome 4) and alcoholism (P < 0.03). Genes encoding GABRA1 and GABRA6, on chromosome 5, did not provide evidence for association with alcoholism. GABRA5 and GABRB3, on chromosome 15, were reported to be expressed uniparentally from the paternal chromosome. Analyses of paternal transmission of alleles of GABRA5 provided evidence for association with alcoholism, particularly in the Caucasian population and with the stricter ICD-10 definition of alcoholism (P < 0.004). Evidence of association was also observed during paternal transmission with GABRB3 in the Caucasian population (P < 0.007). Maternal transmissions provided no evidence for association. These data are consistent with an association between the expressed alleles in the GABA(A)-gene cluster on chromosome 15 and alcoholism that is modulated by genetic imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuzhou Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5122, USA
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Loh EW, Ball D. Role of the GABA(A)beta2, GABA(A)alpha6, GABA(A)alpha1 and GABA(A)gamma2 receptor subunit genes cluster in drug responses and the development of alcohol dependence. Neurochem Int 2000; 37:413-23. [PMID: 10871693 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(00)00054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system and it acts at the GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. A possible role for the GABA(A) receptors in alcohol action has been derived from in vitro cell models, animal studies and human research. GABA(A) subunit mRNA expression in cell models has suggested that the long form of the gamma2 subunit is essential for ethanol enhanced potentiation of GABA(A) receptors, by phosphorylation of a serine contained within the extra eight amino acids. Several animal studies have demonstrated that alterations in drug and alcohol responses may be caused by amino-acid differences at the GABA(A)alpha6 and GABA(A)gamma2 subunits. An Arg(100)/Glu(100) change at the GABA(A)alpha6 subunit conferring altered binding efficacy of the benzodiazepine inverse agonist Ro 15-4513, was found between the AT (alcohol tolerance) and ANT (alcohol non-tolerance) rats. Several loci related to alcohol withdrawal on mouse chromosome 11 which corresponds to the region containing four GABA(A) subunit (beta2, alpha6, alpha1 and gamma2) genes on human chromosome 5q33-34, were also identified. Gene knockout studies of the role of GABA(A)alpha6 and GABA(A)gamma2 subunit genes in mice have demonstrated an essential role in the modulation of other GABA(A) subunit expression and the efficacy of benzodiazepine binding. Absence of the GABA(A)gamma2 subunit gene has more severe effects with many of the mice dying shortly after birth. Disappointingly few studies have examined the effects of response to alcohol in these gene knockout mice. Human genetic association studies have suggested that the GABA(A)beta2, alpha6, alpha1 and gamma2 subunit genes have a role in the development of alcohol dependence, although their contributions may vary between ethnic group and phenotype. In summary, in vitro cell, animal and human genetic association studies have suggested that the GABA(A)beta2, alpha6, alpha1 and gamma2 subunit genes have an important role in alcohol related phenotypes (300 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Loh
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, UK
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Loh EW, Higuchi S, Matsushita S, Murray R, Chen CK, Ball D. Association analysis of the GABA(A) receptor subunit genes cluster on 5q33-34 and alcohol dependence in a Japanese population. Mol Psychiatry 2000; 5:301-7. [PMID: 10889533 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4000719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent investigations suggest that genetic susceptibility to alcohol dependence may be conferred by GABA(A) receptor subunit genes. In this study, three RFLPs at the GABA(A)beta2, GABAAalpha6, GABA(A)alpha1 and two at the GABA(A)gamma2 receptor subunit genes, were examined for association with alcohol dependence in 189 subjects meeting DSM-III-R criteria for this disorder and 152 unrelated controls from a Japanese population. The results demonstrated no association between the AlwNI RFLP at the GABA(A)alpha6 receptor subunit gene and alcohol dependence (P = 0.059). However, the NciI RFLP at the GABA(A)gamma2 receptor subunit gene was associated with alcohol dependence comorbid with antisocial personality disorder (P = 0.021). This supports a recent finding reporting an association between the GABA(A)gamma2 receptor subunit gene and alcohol dependence with criminal record in a Finnish population. Taking into account the effects of multiple comparisons, this result should be interpreted with caution pending replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Loh
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre (SGDPRC), Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK
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