Provisional representation of miRNA-mRNA modular network derived from miRNA and protein WGCNA and correlation analysis in mouse CTX (A) and MB (B).

<p>Module colors reflect those from WGCNA analysis. Increasing ethanol consumption levels can be described as “0” for the Naïve group, “1” for Air-2BC, and “2” for CIE-2BC (EoC trait, sketched in C). Protein modules (<i>circles</i>) that are more relevant to alcohol actions are shown based on their correlation to the EoC trait. Proteins in these modules showed an increasing up-regulation across experimental groups, parallel to the EoC trait. miRNA modules (<i>diamonds</i>) negatively correlated to the EoC trait are also shown; the miRNAs in these modules showed an increasing down-regulation across experimental groups, inversely proportional to the EoC trait. These miRNAs are also oppositely correlated to the protein modules which are in turn important for the EoC trait. Therefore, miRNAs and proteins listed respond to 2BC drinking and/or CIE with opposite directional changes in their expression levels, and might thus play a crucial role in excessive ethanol drinking associated with dependence. Protein modules related to endocytic pathways and energy metabolism appear to be important for the effects caused by CIE paradigm. <i>Blue and red outline</i>, negative and positive correlation with the EoC trait.