Review: DNA methylation and alcohol use disorders: Progress and challenges.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Risk for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is influenced by gene-environment interactions. Environmental factors can affect gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. This review outlines the findings regarding the association of DNA methylation and AUDs.

Methods

We searched PubMed (by April 2016) and identified 29 studies that examined the association of DNA methylation and AUDs. We also evaluated the methods used in these studies.

Results

Two studies demonstrated elevated global (repetitive element) DNA methylation levels in AUD subjects. Fifteen candidate gene studies showed hypermethylation of promoter regions of six genes (AVP, DNMT3B, HERP, HTR3A, OPRM1, and SNCA) or hypomethylation of the GDAP1 promoter region in

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003819 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature