Loci on mouse chromosome 2 have previously been associated with ethanol consumption. Here, we used a limited access choice paradigm in which mice consume large quantities of ethanol (2–3 g/kg/2 h) with a high preference (>80%). In addition, mouse chromosome substitution strains were used to further evaluate the contribution of chromosome 2 to ethanol consumption.
Using a limited access choice paradigm, we found that mouse chromosome 2 carries an allelic variant of a locus for ethanol intake and a distinct locus selective for ethanol preference. The heritability of alcoholism has been suggested to be parent-specific, perhaps resulting from genetic imprinting. Our findings suggest that grandparent-influenced vulnerability for ethanol consumption is conferred by genes on chromosome 2, providing important new leads to enhance our understanding of the heritability of alcoholism.
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