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Published on: June 18, 2018
Prodynorphin gene promoter repeat associated with cocaine/alcohol codependence
Tanya J Williams1, K Steven LaForge, Derek Gordon
1The Laboratories of the Biology of Addictive Diseases and Statistical Genetics, The Rockefeller University, USA.
Addiction Biology
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Genetic variations in the prodynorphin gene may influence addiction vulnerability. Longer alleles of this gene were more frequent in African Americans with combined cocaine and alcohol dependence compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Individual differences in drug addiction vulnerability have a genetic basis.
- The prodynorphin gene promoter contains a repeat polymorphism potentially affecting gene activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prodynorphin gene polymorphisms and cocaine/alcohol dependence.
- To examine ethnic differences in these genetic associations.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA from 302 subjects (controls, cocaine-dependent, cocaine/alcohol-codependent) was analyzed.
- Polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis were used to genotype the prodynorphin gene repeat polymorphism.
- Statistical analyses were stratified by ethnicity (African American, Caucasian, Hispanic).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in genotype distribution were observed among ethnicities in controls.
- African American individuals with cocaine and alcohol codependence showed a higher frequency of longer prodynorphin gene alleles compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Prodynorphin gene repeat length may be associated with cocaine and alcohol codependence, particularly in African Americans.
- These findings contribute to understanding the genetic underpinnings of addiction.
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