This genetic analysis of ethanol-responsive gene expression allowed extension beyond dichotomous gene lists, to the spectrum of acute ethanol transcriptional responses influenced by naturally occurring polymorphisms segregating in the BXD strains. This approach identified gene groups having by a wide range of differential expression profiles: including genes such as Npas4, which was consistently up-regulated by ethanol, and Gabrb2, whose response entailed up-regulation, down-regulation and no change, depending on the subset of strains (Figure 2). Such a range of expression changes highlights the complex role of genetic background in modifying molecular responses to acute ethanol exposure.
