The large conductance potassium channel, Kcnma1, was also an ErGeN3 hub gene (Figure 6). In addition to its known functional response to ethanol exposure [49], Kcnma1 is a very intriguing hub gene because it is a proven major regulator of acute ethanol-induced intoxication in C. elegans [83]. Furthermore, two recently published human GWA studies have provided preliminary evidence for a link between Kcnma1 and alcohol dependence [84], [85]. The study by Kendler and colleagues also identified another voltage gated potassium channel, Kcnq5, as having an association with AD. This is an exciting result, as Kcnq5 is directly adjacent to Kcnma1 in ErGeN3, and both genes are highly ethanol-responsive and major hubs of the network.
