Genetic factors involved in risk for methamphetamine intake and sensitization

John K. Belknap, Shannon McWeeney, Cheryl Reed, Sue Burkhart-Kasch, Carrie S. McKinnon, Na Li, Harue Baba, Angela C. Scibelli, Robert Hitzemann, Tamara J. Phillips

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lines of mice were created by selective breeding for the purpose of identifying genetic mechanisms that influence the magnitude of the selected trait and to explore genetic correlations for additional traits thought to be influenced by shared mechanisms. DNA samples from high and low methamphetamine-drinking (MADR) and high and low methamphetamine-sensitization lines were used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Significant additive genetic correlations between the two traits indicated a common genetic influence, and a QTL on chromosome X was detected for both traits, suggesting one source of this commonality. For MADR mice, a QTL on chromosome 10 accounted for more than 50 % of the genetic variance in that trait. Microarray gene expression analyses were performed for three brain regions for methamphetamine-naïve MADR line mice: nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and ventral midbrain. Many of the genes that were differentially expressed between the high and low MADR lines were shared in common across the three brain regions. A gene network highly enriched in transcription factor genes was identified as being relevant to genetically determined differences in methamphetamine intake. When the mu opioid receptor gene (Oprm1), located on chromosome 10 in the QTL region, was added to this top-ranked transcription factor network, it became a hub in the network. These data are consistent with previously published findings of opioid response and intake differences between the MADR lines and suggest that Oprm1, or a gene that impacts activity of the opioid system, plays a role in genetically determined differences in methamphetamine intake.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)446-458
Number of pages13
JournalMammalian Genome
Volume24
Issue number11-12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genetic factors involved in risk for methamphetamine intake and sensitization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this