Genetics (Environment) and Addiction
Epigenetics is a part of genetics. Epigenetics study which genes are switched on and off. It also studies the mechanism how are genes read by cell and how will proteins be produced.
1. Some life circumstances can affect genes to be off or on.
2. What you eat, with whom you make relationships, where you live, when you sleep will influence chemical interactions around the genes that will be off or on.
3. Different combinations of genes that are switch on makes us unique.
4. Epigenetics is reversible which means that some other combination of genes can be switch on or off. The possibilities are enormous.
At least three systems including DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-associated gene silencing are currently considered.
Vulnerability to addiction is influenced by biological, social, environmental and genetic factors.
Studies reviled the role of gene-environment interactions, which occurs when genes interact with the environment and influence how we behave. How does it work? For example, variations in serotonin transporter SLC6A4 gene is the target for cocaine and ecstasy, so that variation od allele(gene) which is "shorter", influence lower production of the serotonin transporter gene and reuptake. In adolescents who have that "shorter" variation with family and social support showed a moderation of "shortness" of that variation of the gene.
One of the major genetics pathways of modifying genes are methylation ( attaching the methyl group -CH3) and chromatin (DNA with proteins packing) remodeling.
Changes in DNA methylation contribute to memory consolidation and storage in the brain, both are crucial processes in addiction. The role of key enzymes of DNA methylations, in regulating induction of synaptic plasticity, is important to neuroplasticity changes in drug addiction.
So, changes in DNA methylation process and chromatin remodeling have been found in drug use. For example, using cocaine in both acute and chronic studies has produced immediate and long-lasting gene expression changes through modifications.
Central development receptor in opioid addiction is m-receptor, encoded by OPRM1 gene, is the target of the bioactive form of heroin, analgesic opioid medication and naturals like endorphins. For example, DNA methylation of OPRM1 gene was found to be different between heroin addict stabilized with methadone than in controls.
Alcohol also produces epigenetic changes in both acute and long-term use.
We have to be aware that this is a young branch of genetics and that statistic associations are just started to be replicated, which are showing that it is more than just a coincidence of epigenetic changes of specific drug use. An association going in both directions- as the predisposition or risk factor or result of using the drug.
Although human studies have found associations of epigenetic alterations with drug addiction, such as with OPRM1 DNA methylation in heroin addiction, direct evidence demonstrating that these changes altered addiction vulnerability or occurred as the result of the use of the specific drug of abuse is lacking.
What is going on in the field of epigenetics is exciting, but addiction is the orphan field compared to other filed, like cancer or heart disease.
A major challenge for addiction treatment will be the development of pharmacotherapeutics with agents such as the methylation inhibitor azacitidine, the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid, or the selective histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA. The complication is that addiction target very specific part of the brain.
major source: Epigenetics of drug abuse
1. Some life circumstances can affect genes to be off or on.
2. What you eat, with whom you make relationships, where you live, when you sleep will influence chemical interactions around the genes that will be off or on.
3. Different combinations of genes that are switch on makes us unique.
4. Epigenetics is reversible which means that some other combination of genes can be switch on or off. The possibilities are enormous.
At least three systems including DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-associated gene silencing are currently considered.
Vulnerability to addiction is influenced by biological, social, environmental and genetic factors.
Studies reviled the role of gene-environment interactions, which occurs when genes interact with the environment and influence how we behave. How does it work? For example, variations in serotonin transporter SLC6A4 gene is the target for cocaine and ecstasy, so that variation od allele(gene) which is "shorter", influence lower production of the serotonin transporter gene and reuptake. In adolescents who have that "shorter" variation with family and social support showed a moderation of "shortness" of that variation of the gene.
One of the major genetics pathways of modifying genes are methylation ( attaching the methyl group -CH3) and chromatin (DNA with proteins packing) remodeling.
Changes in DNA methylation contribute to memory consolidation and storage in the brain, both are crucial processes in addiction. The role of key enzymes of DNA methylations, in regulating induction of synaptic plasticity, is important to neuroplasticity changes in drug addiction.
So, changes in DNA methylation process and chromatin remodeling have been found in drug use. For example, using cocaine in both acute and chronic studies has produced immediate and long-lasting gene expression changes through modifications.
Central development receptor in opioid addiction is m-receptor, encoded by OPRM1 gene, is the target of the bioactive form of heroin, analgesic opioid medication and naturals like endorphins. For example, DNA methylation of OPRM1 gene was found to be different between heroin addict stabilized with methadone than in controls.
Alcohol also produces epigenetic changes in both acute and long-term use.
We have to be aware that this is a young branch of genetics and that statistic associations are just started to be replicated, which are showing that it is more than just a coincidence of epigenetic changes of specific drug use. An association going in both directions- as the predisposition or risk factor or result of using the drug.
Although human studies have found associations of epigenetic alterations with drug addiction, such as with OPRM1 DNA methylation in heroin addiction, direct evidence demonstrating that these changes altered addiction vulnerability or occurred as the result of the use of the specific drug of abuse is lacking.
What is going on in the field of epigenetics is exciting, but addiction is the orphan field compared to other filed, like cancer or heart disease.
A major challenge for addiction treatment will be the development of pharmacotherapeutics with agents such as the methylation inhibitor azacitidine, the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid, or the selective histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA. The complication is that addiction target very specific part of the brain.
major source: Epigenetics of drug abuse
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