Genome-wide DNA methylation profile in the peripheral blood of cocaine and crack dependents. Homo sapiens

Objective: Cocaine use disorders (CUD) represent a major public health problem in many countries. To better understand the interaction between the environmental modulations and phenotype, the aim of the present study was to investigate the DNA methylation pattern of CUD patients, which were concomitant dependents of cocaine and crack, and healthy controls. Methods: We studied DNA methylation profiles in the peripheral blood of 23 CUD patients and 24 healthy control subjects using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip arrays. Results: Comparison between CUD patients and controls revealed 186 differentially methylated positions (DMPs, adjP<10-5) related to 152 genes, with a subset of CpGs confirmed by pyrosequencing. DNA methylation patterns discriminated CUD patients and control groups. A gene network approach showed that EHMT1, EHMT2, MAPK1, MAPK3, MAP2K1 and HDAC5 genes, which are involved in transcription and chromatin regulation cellular signaling pathways, were also associated with cocaine dependence. Conclusion: The investigation of DNA methylation patterns in CUD patients may contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in cocaine use disorders. Overall design: Comprehensive methylation analysis in the peripheral blood of 23 cocaine and crack dependents and 24 control subjects, using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K Bead Chips.