SEQUENCING THE NEUROPEPTIDE Y GENE IN THE RHESUS MACAQUE (MACACA MULATTA) AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
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Date
2007-03
Department
Hood College Biology
Program
Biomedical and Environmental Science
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Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an anxiolytic peptide that is involved in modulation of
stress response. Dysregulation of the NPY system and NPY replacement have been
associated with alterations in alcohol intake in both animals and humans. The rhesus NPY
gene was sequenced to screen for functional genetic variants in the rhNPY gene/promoter.
Twelve polymorphisms were identified in the 5'flanking and coding regions of the rhNPY
gene. One of these (-1002T>G) disrupts a putative androgen/glucocorticoid response
element site. Consistent with the demonstrated role for androgens in induction of NPY,
carriers the -1002 G allele exhibited lower levels of NPY in cerebrospinal fluid as well as
appeared to be sensitized behaviorally to a stressful paradigm. This NPY promoter variant
was also associated with increased alcohol intake in animals without a history of
dependence, with the effect being more marked among animals exposed to early
adversity in the form of peer rearing.