Modulation of Nicotine but Not Ethanol Preference by the Mouse Chrna4 A529T Polymorphism

Available evidence indicates that common genes influence alcohol and tobacco abuse in humans. The studies reported here used mouse models to evaluate the hypothesis that genetically determined variability in the α4β2* nicotinic receptor modulates genetically determined variability in the intake of both nicotine and alcohol. Data obtained with inbred mouse strains suggested an association between a polymorphism in the mouse α4 nAChR subunit gene, Chrna4 , and variability in nicotine and ethanol preference. These associations were assessed in F2 animals derived by crossing C57BL/6 β2−/− mice and A/J mice. The results obtained by the authors indicate that the polymorphism in Chrna4 plays an important role in modulating variability in oral nicotine intake but is linked to a gene that regulates alcohol intake.