FANTASTIC GENES AND WHERE TO FIND THEM: MOLECULAR BASES OF EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN ZEBRAFISH (Danio rerio)
ethanol; genetic expression; zebrafish strains; genetic variation;
Recent reports by the World Health Organization estimate that 3.3 million people die from alcohol-related causes each year, making it the most impactful and harmful drug in the world. The abuse of this substance is an alarming problem due to its wide legal use and the enormous impact on health and society. Alcohol affects several systems of the organism, among them, the central nervous system, where it interacts with several neurotransmission systems, such as dopaminergic (mainly involved with reinforcement and addiction behavior). Thus, the excessive and chronic consumption of alcohol can lead to a state of dependence, known as alcoholism. However, not all people respond in the same way to the substance: it is known that there are genetic, physiological and behavioral variations that influence the way the subjects develop alcohol dependence. In this sense, comparative studies between strains of the same species are important because they help us to understand how the genetic background contributes to the establishment of alcoholism. In order to study how alcohol affects humanity, several laboratories are conducting research using one of the most popular animals for translational research: the zebrafish (Danio rerio). This animal model offers the possibility of translational conclusions, since it has biochemical pathways evolutionarily conserved with humans, making it a good model for the study of drug addiction. Thus, we will evaluate whether there are behavioral and genetic variation in the response to acute and chronic alcohol among zebrafish strains during the larval and adult phases.