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FB2026_01
,
released March 12, 2026
Using an experimental paradigm involving initial exposure to ethanol vapors, assessment after the initial exposure, and a second assessment 1 hour later, an increase in aggressive interactions between males was observed at the second timepoint; the incidence of aggressive acts by females was not affected.
The impact on and role of the Drosophila fru gene in this male-specific behavior was investigated; Dmel\fru encodes transcription factors necessary for normal sexual differentiation. Suppression of the male-specific fru isoform prevents the observed alcohol-induced increase in male-male aggression. At the second timepoint described above, a 3-fold increase in the male-specific fru protein is observed. In contrast, high levels of alcohol exposure decrease levels of the male-specific fru isoform.
[updated Oct. 2021 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
Alcoholism can be defined as persistence of excessive drinking over a long period of time despite adverse health effects and disruption of social relations (Morozova et al., 2014; pubmed:24395673).
The 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) combined the two former categorizations of abnormal alcohol use (alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence) into one diagnosis: alcohol use disorder. The severity of an individual's AUD is broken into classifications: mild, moderate, or severe. "Alcoholism" is a non-medical term often used to describe a severe form of alcohol use disorder. (https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/recovery-blog/alcoholism-alcohol-use-disorder-whats-difference/)
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of different types of cancer, higher cardiovascular disease mortality, birth defects, liver diseases, and neuropsychiatric disorders (Morozova et al., 2014; pubmed:24395673).
Alcoholism is a multifactorial, genetically influenced disorder. [from MIM:103780; 2017.12.19]
Alcohol is the most common psychotropic contributor to aggressive behavior. In many parts of the world, acute alcohol consumption is implicated in approximately 35% to 60% of violent crimes (Denson et al., 2018, pubmed:29313253, and references cited therein).
The Drosophila gene fruitless (fru) encodes a BTB zinc finger transcription factor that contributes to sexual differentiation of the neural circuits underlying male sexual behavior (FlyBase, FBgn0004652.
There are no close orthologs of Dmel\fru in human.