This work highlights recent studies in epigenetic mechanisms that play a role in alcoholism, a complex multifactorial disorder. A large body of evidence has shown that alcohol can modify gene expression through epigenetic processes, namely DNA methylation and nucleosomal remodeling via histone modifications. In that vein, chronic ethanol exposure modifies DNA and histone methylation, histone acetylation, and microRNA expression. The alcohol-mediated chromatin remodeling in the brain promotes the transition from use to abuse and addiction. Unravelling the multiplex pattern of molecular modifications induced by ethanol involves the ability to develop new, epigenetic processes-targeting therapies for alcoholism and drug addiction.
How Alcohol Drinking Affects our Genes: an Epigenetic Point of View
Stefania Ciafre';Marco Fiore;
2019
Abstract
This work highlights recent studies in epigenetic mechanisms that play a role in alcoholism, a complex multifactorial disorder. A large body of evidence has shown that alcohol can modify gene expression through epigenetic processes, namely DNA methylation and nucleosomal remodeling via histone modifications. In that vein, chronic ethanol exposure modifies DNA and histone methylation, histone acetylation, and microRNA expression. The alcohol-mediated chromatin remodeling in the brain promotes the transition from use to abuse and addiction. Unravelling the multiplex pattern of molecular modifications induced by ethanol involves the ability to develop new, epigenetic processes-targeting therapies for alcoholism and drug addiction.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
