• Differentially expressed prote...

*Result*: Differentially expressed proteins in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with alcohol use disorder: a multi-level biological network analysis.

Title:
Differentially expressed proteins in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with alcohol use disorder: a multi-level biological network analysis.
Authors:
Hoefel LPL; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Molecular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil., Pulcinelli RR; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil., Almeida FB; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil., Rosa AR; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil., Gomez R; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address: rosane.gomez@ufrgs.br.
Source:
Computational biology and chemistry [Comput Biol Chem] 2026 Feb; Vol. 120 (Pt 1), pp. 108623. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 12.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101157394 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1476-928X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14769271 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Comput Biol Chem Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: Oxford : Elsevier
Original Publication: Oxford : Pergamon, c2003-
MeSH Terms:
Prefrontal Cortex*/metabolism , Alcoholism*/metabolism , Alcoholism*/genetics, Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Bioinformatics; Ethanol; Humans; Post-mortem brain; Proteomics
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20250821 Date Completed: 20251210 Latest Revision: 20251210
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2025.108623
PMID:
40840184
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Alcohol abuse and dependence induce neurobiological and behavioral changes in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Few studies have explored AUD-induced changes in proteins to repurpose drugs that interfere with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and relapse. This multi-level analysis identified the most prevalent changes in protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of individuals with AUD and identified candidate drugs with potential benefits for its treatment. We searched databases for differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the PFC of individuals with AUD and matched controls, to identify hub and bottleneck genes through a protein-protein interaction network and topological analysis. DrugBank was used to provide candidate drugs targeting the key genes obtained. Metascape was used for gene annotations and functional enrichment analysis. Most DEPs identified in the PFC of individuals with AUD were downregulated (68 %) and were associated with metabolic processes, including aerobic respiration, vesicle-mediated transport, and cellular responses to stress. We also identified key genes through survival analysis, particularly GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and ACTB (Actin Beta). The DrugBank database identified that artenimol and quercetin are potential candidate drugs for interacting with key genes in the PFC of individuals with AUD. Thus, reduced PFC metabolism may alter executive functions, decision-making, and behaviors in individuals with AUD. Proteomic and multi-level analysis are valuable tools for identifying brain dysfunction and new therapeutic targets in AUD.
(Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)*

*Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.*