Applications of transgenic and knockout mice in alcohol research

Multiple genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of alcoholism. Researchers attempting to elucidate the roles of specific genes in alcoholism risk have benefited from advances in genetic engineering. Two important tools used by researchers include transgenic mice, in which a foreign gene is integrated into an animal’s genetic material, and knockout/knock-in mice, in which targeted genes either are rendered nonfunctional or are altered. Both of these animal models are currently used in alcohol research to determine how genes may influence the development of alcoholism in humans. KE Y W O R D S: animal model; transgenic technology; gene knockout technology; gene expression; DNA; neurotransmitters; GABA receptors; stem cell; receptor proteins; protein kinases Vol. 24, No. 3, 2000 175 A lcoholism is a complex disord e rthat encompasses seve r a l p h y s io-logical and behavioral characteris-tics (also re f e r re d to as phenotypes), including atypical responses to alcohol in initial sensitivity, tolerance, consump-t i o n, and withdrawal as well as vulnera