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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
The association of HTR3A mRNA expression and craving in Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients: a preliminary study
Ya-Hui Xu1, Lin-Lin Wang2, Le Shi3
1a Department of Addiction , Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University , Xinxiang , Henan Province , China.
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.
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