In addition to the behavioral similarities between invertebrate and mammalian models, invertebrates use similar neurotransmitter systems, neuropeptides, synaptic proteins, channels and signaling processes to mediate ethanol-induced behaviors [46]. These include genes encoding Ca2+-sensitive adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A [47-49], BK channels [50-52], Homer [53,54], genes encoding proteins involved in GABA neurotransmission [55,56], the gene encoding protein kinase C [57,58], and genes encoding proteins involved in dopamine and serotonin signaling [45,59,60]. In vertebrates, neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling plays a role in alcohol intake and dependence [61,62]. Invertebrates have an ortholog to NPY, neuropeptide F (NPF), and signaling via NPF also influences ethanol-related behaviors [44,63].
