Genes differentially expressed in the PFC in alcoholics were previously pooled into 16 groups according to their functions associated with apoptosis, immune/stress response, myelination and gene transcription [14]. Genes in 14 out of 16 groups have putative NF-κB binding sites (Table S5). Among the upregulated genes in alcoholics is the death–associated protein 6 (DAXX). It is involved in cell survival/cell death and spatial learning processes. Interestingly, DAXX acts as an anti-apoptotic regulator [57] through its ability to repress gene transcription activated by NF-κB and other transcription factors [58]. Overall, bioinformatic data support the notion of a critical role of adaptations in the NF-κB/p50 system in the differential regulation of gene expression in the PFC of chronic alcoholics.
