Among the 43 genes that were located within rat QTLs for alcohol consumption and preference, some were evident in certain GO categories and gene networks. Tgfa (located within Alc18 on chromosome 4) appears to be associated with ethanol preference in mice (Hilakivi-Clark & Goldberg, 1995), anti-apoptosis (Table 2) and up-regulation of Fos-related transcription factors (Fig. 2). Hspa5 (located within Alc8 on chromosome 3) is also involved in anti-apoptosis (Table 2). Mtus1 (located within Alc11 on chromosome 16) and Creb3l2 (located within Alc18 on chromosome 4) are involved in transcription (Fig. 3). The anti-apoptosis involvement and increased transcription functions of these genes suggest that increased cellular protection may be occurring in the ACB of the CA group, which could be factors contributing to high alcohol intakes.
