Modeling gene-by-environment interaction in comorbid depression with alcohol use disorders via an integrated bioinformatics appr

Background: Comorbidity of Major Depressive Disorder (depression) and Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) is well documented. Depression, AUD, and the comorbidity of depression with AUD show evidence of genetic and environmental influences on susceptibility. We used an integrated bioinformatics approach, mining available data in multiple databases, to develop and refine a model of gene-by-environment interaction consistent with this comorbidity. Methods: We established the validity of a genetic model via queries against NCBI databases, identifying and validating TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) and MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) as candidate genes. We used the PDG-ACE algorithm (Prioritizing Disease Genes by Analysis of Common Elements) to show that TNF and MTHFR share significant commonality and that this commonality is consistent with a response to environmental exposure to ethanol. Finally, we used MetaCore from GeneGo, Inc. to model a gene-by-environment interaction consistent wit...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2008
• Where: BIODATAMINING
• Authors: Richard C. McEachin, Benjamin J. Keller, Erika F. H. Saunders, Melvin G. McInnis
• Keywords: BIODATAMINING 2008, Comorbidity, Gene-by-environment Interaction, Model