MicroRNAs and drinking: association between the pre-miR-27a rs895819 polymorphism and alcohol consumption in a Mediterranean population

Authors: BARRAGAN, ROCIO - University Of Valencia; COLTELL, OSCAR - University Jaume I Of Castellon; ASENSIO, EVA - University Of Valencia; FRANCES, FRANCESC - University Of Valencia; SORLI, JOSE - University Of Valencia; ESTRUCH, RAMON - Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS); SALAS-HUETOS, ALBERT - University Rovira I Virgili; ORDOVAS, JOSE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; CORELLA, DOLORES - University Of Valencia

Submitted to: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2016
Publication Date: 8/16/2016
Citation: Barragan, R., Coltell, O., Asensio, E.M., Frances, F., Sorli, J.V., Estruch, R., Salas-Huetos, A., Ordovas, J.M., Corella, D. 2016. MicroRNAs and drinking: association between the pre-miR-27a rs895819 polymorphism and alcohol consumption in a Mediterranean population. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. doi: 10.3390/ijms17081338.

Interpretive Summary: The discovery of very small RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) have contributed to a more complete understanding of the regulation of our genes. Some of them have been proposed as regulators in the different processes involved in alcohol intake and metabolism, and differences have been found in the miRNA expression profile in alcoholics. However, no study has focused on analyzing polymorphisms in genes encoding miRNAs and daily alcohol consumption at the population level. Our aim was to investigate the association between a polymorphism in these miRNAs, known as the pre-miR-27a (rs895819 A>G) gene, and alcohol consumption in an elderly population. We undertook a cross-sectional study of PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea (PREDIMED)-Valencia participants (n = 1,007, including men and women aged 67 +/- 7 years) and measured their alcohol consumption (total and alcoholic beverages) through a validated questionnaire. We found a strong association between the pre-miR-27a polymorphism and total alcohol intake that was significantly higher in GG subjects compared to AG and AA subjects. We also found a statistically significant association of the pre-miR-27a polymorphism with the risk of having a high alcohol intake (>2 drinks/day in men and >1 in women:) 5.9% in AA versus 17.5% in GG. In conclusion, we report for the first time a significant association between a miRNA polymorphism (rs895819) and alcohol consumption.

Technical Abstract: Recently, microRNAs (miRNA) have been proposed as regulators in the different processes involved in alcohol intake, and differences have been found in the miRNA expression profile in alcoholics. However, no study has focused on analyzing polymorphisms in genes encoding miRNAs and daily alcohol consumption at the population level. Our aim was to investigate the association between a functional polymorphism in the pre-miR-27a (rs895819 A>G) gene and alcohol consumption in an elderly population. We undertook a cross-sectional study of PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea (PREDIMED)-Valencia participants (n = 1007, including men and women aged 67 +/- 7 years) and measured their alcohol consumption (total and alcoholic beverages) through a validated questionnaire. We found a strong association between the pre-miR-27a polymorphism and total alcohol intake, this being higher in GG subjects (5.2 +/- 0.4 in AA, 5.9 +/- 0.5 in AG and 9.1 +/- 1.8 g/day in GG; p(adjusted) = 0.019). We also found a statistically-significant association of the pre-miR-27a polymorphism with the risk of having a high alcohol intake (>2 drinks/day in men and >1 in women): 5.9% in AA versus 17.5% in GG; p(adjusted) <0.001. In the sensitivity analysis, this association was homogeneous for sex, obesity and Mediterranean diet adherence. In conclusion, we report for the first time a significant association between a miRNA polymorphism (rs895819) and daily alcohol consumption.