The association of HTR3A mRNA expression and craving in Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients: a preliminary study

ABSTRACT

Background: 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 3 receptor plays a crucial role in craving of alcohol dependence. Recent evidence shows that chronic alcohol exposure causes changes in gene expression and induces behavioral changes. However, the relationship between gene expression of 5-HT3 receptor and craving in alcohol-dependent patients is not fully understood. Objectives: The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the relationship between gene expression of the 5-HT3 receptor and craving in alcohol-dependent patients and the epigenetic mechanism. Methods: We recruited 50 male Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients and 46 male Han Chinese healthy controls. We investigated the changes of HTR3A mRNA, which encodes the 5-HT3 receptor A subunit, and H3K9 acetylation in HTR3A promoter region. Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) was used to assess the craving of alcohol-dependent patients relative to controls. Results: HTR3A mRNA expression levels and acetylation levels of H3K9 in the HTR3A promoter region were significantly higher in the alcohol-dependent patients. HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with OCDS scores. Moreover, HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with acetylation levels of H3K9 in HTR3A promoter region. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with craving in Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients. The regulation of H3K9 histone acetylation in HTR3A promoter region may offer a target for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol dependence
• H3K9 acetylation
• HTR3A gene
• craving

Funding

This work was funded by the National Key Basic Research and Development Program (NKBRDP) of China (number 2009CB522000), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (number 81471351), the State Key Program of the National Natural Science of China (number 81130020), the Peiyu Foundation of Xinxiang Medical University (number 2014QN102), and the Key Program of Science Technology Research of Education Department of Henan Province (number 13B320222).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the National Key Basic Research and Development Program (NKBRDP) of China (number 2009CB522000), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (number 81471351), the State Key Program of the National Natural Science of China (number 81130020), the Peiyu Foundation of Xinxiang Medical University (number 2014QN102), and the Key Program of Science Technology Research of Education Department of Henan Province (number 13B320222).