Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, September 6, 2010

The Role of microRNAs in Drug Addiction: A Big Lesson from Tiny Molecules



Alcoholism is a multifactorial disease of unclear molecular underpinnings.

Currently, we are witnessing a major shift in our understanding of the functional elements of the genome, which could help us to discover novel insights into the nature of alcoholism.

In humans, the vast majority of the genome encodes non-protein-coding DNA with unclear function.

Recent research has started to unveil this mystery by describing the functional relevance of microRNAs, and examining which genes are regulated by non-protein-coding DNA.

Here, I describe alcohol regulation of microRNAs and provide examples of microRNAs that control the expression of alcohol-relevant genes.

Emphasis is put on the potential of microRNAs in explaining the polygenic nature of alcoholism and prospects of microRNA research and future directions of this burgeoning field.


Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: andrepi@aesop.rutgers.edu