# Role of lncRNA Malat1 in Alcohol Use Disorder

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $48,974

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent and debilitating disease; however, the underlying
mechanisms for AUD remain largely unknown. Despite the predominant focus of protein coding genes in AUD,
non-coding RNAs play a vital role in regulating multiple cellular functions including RNA transcription, RNA-
protein interactions, and gene expression. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Malat1 has been implicated in
the transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Recent findings from our laboratory and others have linked
Malat1 to neuroinflammatory pathways associated with AUD. Additional data from our laboratory suggests
Malat1 regulates neuroinflammatory gene expression in astrocytes, a CNS cell type shown to mediate
neuroimmune responses and behavior. In my research proposal, I will determine whether Malat1 in astrocytes
regulates alcohol consumption and neuroinflammatory activation. I hypothesize Malat1 drives astrocyte-
mediated neuroinflammatory response to alcohol, regulating alcohol action and pro-inflammatory gene
expression. Aim 1 of my proposal will utilize behavioral pharmacology and single nucleus RNA sequencing to
demonstrate the role of quercetin, a chemical known to inhibit Malat1, in the regulation of alcohol consumption
and neuroinflammatory gene expression. Aim 2 of my proposal will use genetically engineered mice and
immunofluorescence to assess the functional role of Malat1 in astrocytes underlying the pathogenesis of AUD.
Overall, my research proposal introduces a novel approach for testing neuroinflammatory mechanisms
underlying behavioral changes in AUD and will provide a crucial step in understanding how Malat1 perpetuates
AUD physiological phenotypes. With limited treatments currently available for AUD the results obtained from
these studies may identify a novel pharmacological approach to assist with AUD treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11068659
- **Project number:** 1F31AA032172-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniela Victoria Gil
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,974
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-12-01 → 2028-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11068659

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11068659, Role of lncRNA Malat1 in Alcohol Use Disorder (1F31AA032172-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/11068659. Licensed CC0.

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