Functional enrichment analysis showed strong homology in the functional categories regulated by ethanol in all three regions (Table S2). Gene groups related to synaptic activity and plasticity were among the most significantly over-represented GO biological functions, with dendritic or synaptic structure as the top GO cellular components in each region. The 399 genes that were significantly ethanol-responsive in all three brain regions were also highly enriched for proteins that localize to the pre- and post-synaptic membranes and regulate synaptic transmission, including both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor categories (Table S2). However, there were regional differences, the over-representation of GABA and glutamate receptor signaling pathways was particularly high in VMB.
