SNCA基因在酒精依赖遗传机制中的研究进展

SNCA 基因定位于酒精依赖数量性状位点之上, 其编码的蛋白-α-synuclein 可以在多个水平上调节多巴胺的功能, 而后者是酒精依赖中重要的神经递质。研究还发现酒精依赖者SNCA 基因存在多处基因变异, 同时, 酒精依赖者SNCA 基因的表达水平也存在显著增高, 并且增高的程度与酒精依赖程度密切相关, 因此, SNCA 基因被认为参与酒精依赖的遗传机制。文章对SNCA 基因与多巴胺的关系和酒精依赖者SNCA 基因变异以及基因表达的研究进展做一综述。     

HTR2A基因多态性与云南彝族酒精依赖关联性研究

目的：探讨酒精依赖和云南彝族5-羟色胺2A受体（HTR2A）基因多态之间的关系。方法：采用PCR-RFLP技术对330健康人（对照组）和110名酒精依赖者（病例组）的5-HT2A受体基因的遗传多态性进行检测。结果：在440例样本中共检测到2种等位基因A和G,三种基因型AA,AG,GG．三种基因型在对照组中频率分别是38．5％,55．8％,5．8％;在病例组中的频率分别是30％,63．6％,6．4％。结论：在云彝族人群中,HTR2A基因rs6311（A－1438G）位点与酒精依赖无显著关联,HTR2A基因rs6311（A-1438G）位点在云南汉族和云南彝族酒精依赖组中无显著差异,但是在健康对照组中存在关联性．     

中枢单胺类神经递质在酒精依赖中的分子作用机制

酒精依赖是以失去控制地饮用酒精为特征的慢性、复发性脑疾病, 业已成为严重的社会问题。中枢单胺类神经递质(包括多巴胺、5-羟色胺等)在酒精依赖症的发生、发展和系统功能失调中发挥着重要作用。文章探讨了单胺类神经递质关键调控点多巴胺受体、5-羟色胺受体、转运体、酪氨酸羟化酶、色氨酸羟化酶及单胺氧化酶基因等在酒精依赖中的作用机制, 结合本实验室在基因敲除小鼠模型方面的研究进展提出了酒精依赖分子机制的研究策略。在系统评述中枢单胺类神经递质介导的酒精依赖分子作用机制的基础上, 结合本实验室在酪氨酸羟化酶激活剂钙调蛋白依赖的蛋白激酶Ⅱ方面的研究成果探讨了可用于酒精依赖症治疗的作用靶点, 提出通过调整基因调控区的甲基化程度和改变pre-mRNA的选择性剪切等表观遗传学策略预防和治疗酒精依赖症, 同时根据基因多态性研究结果提出对酒精依赖症患者进行个性化预防和治疗的新策略。     

酒精成瘾的受体后信号转导

酒精滥用和成瘾是一个严重的社会问题,也是一个重要的生物医学问题.神经精神药理学和神经分子生物学研究表明,酒精滥用和成瘾不仅与中枢神经系统的神经递质及其相关的受体有关,而且,受体后的信号转导通路参与了酒精依赖的形成过程.其中包括环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)-蛋白激酶A(PKA)、磷脂酰肌醇(PI)、Ca2 -钙调蛋白(CAM)、磷脂酶D(PLD)以及酪氨酸激酶Fyn等信号途径.本文对介导酒精滥用和成瘾的受体后信号转导通路的研究进展予以综述.     

DNA甲基化与原发性高血压的研究进展

原发性高血压(简称高血压病)是遗传和环境因素相互作用所导致的一种复杂性疾病.近年来的研究发现,高血压病的发生和发展与DNA甲基化密切相关.11β-HSD-2、ECE-1和AT1b等基因发生甲基化和去甲基化会影响代谢酶和受体的表达,从而通过肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统激活以及肾性水钠潴留等途径引起高血压的发生,这可能是高血压发病的一个重要分子机制.基因组低甲基化(如:高同型半胱氨酸所引起的)会诱发AT1b、ECE-1等受体和代谢酶基因发生去甲基化,从而参与高血压病的发生.深入了解DNA甲基化调控在原发性高血压发病过程中的分子机制及药物代谢酶和受体基因甲基化状态的改变对高血压患者降压疗效的影响,将为临床制定合理化的用药方案提供依据.     

宽翅曲背蝗两个地理种群等位酶的比较

采用水平淀粉凝胶电泳技术及应用等位酶分析方法,研究我国河北黄骅、辽宁葫芦岛宽翅曲背蝗两个自然种群的遗传多样性和遗传分化。在检测的11种酶15个酶基因座位中,Adk-I、Fbp-I、Mdh-2和G3pd-I基因座位的等位基因少,而Fbp-2、Mdh-I和Me-I基因座位的等位基因多。对每个基因座位的各基因型进行χ^2检验,除Mdh-I在辽宁葫芦岛种群、Adk-I在河北黄骅种群分别符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡外,其余绝大多数基因座位的基因型频率显著偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡。两个种群之间存在明显的遗传多样性和分化：多态位点百分率分别为100％和93．3％,等位基因平均数分别为3．1和2．5,平均杂合度观测值分别为0．086和0．061。与其他非迁飞性蝗虫如中华稻蝗(Oxya chinensis)比较,这种蝗虫种群的平均杂合度较低但遗传多态性较高。结果表明：该蝗虫较强的跳跃能力可使个体暴露于各种不同环境,有利于维持种内遗传多态性的动态平衡,而种群保持较高的遗传多态性能增强该物种在不同栖息地的生存和繁殖能力。F-统计量表明两个种群之间的遗传分化相对较小,但这种分化显著高于迁飞性蝗虫如东亚飞蝗(Locusta migratoria manilensis)。Nei的遗传一致度(I)和Roger的遗传距离(D)的结果分析揭示了两个种群之间较高的遗传一致度(I=0．904)和较小的遗传距离(D=0．256)。然而,在一些酶基因座位如Aep-I(Fst=0．462)和Pgi-I(Fst=0．182),F-统计值相对较大,遗传分化比较明显。     

脂质代谢相关基因变异在早发冠心病中作用的研究进展

最新研究表明, 早发冠心病(pCAD)往往具有较强的遗传背景和脂质代谢紊乱等易感基础, 脂代谢相关基因异常导致各类脂质合成、代谢障碍, 最终血管壁发生动脉粥样硬化, 相关研究多集中在(1) 影响低密度脂蛋白代谢的基因, 如：低密度脂蛋白受体、载脂蛋白B、载脂蛋白E等基因; (2) 影响高密度脂蛋白代谢的基因, 如：ATP 结合盒式转运子、载脂蛋白AI及脂蛋白脂酶基因; (3) 脂联素基因、低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白基因等。目前已发现这些脂质代谢基因与pCAD密切相关, 有些基因的突变可造成以pCAD为特征的遗传性疾病。文章对上述基因与pCAD的发生发展进行综述, 以期为冠心病的预防和个体化治疗提供理论依据。     

关于棉属四倍体种起源问题的过氧化物酶同工酶研究

本文采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳和等电聚焦技术,对棉属(Gossypium)A基因组2个二倍体种、D基因组10个二倍体野生种和四倍体2(AD)基因组的3个种进行过氧化物酶同工酶酶谱分析。种间酶谱关系符合形态学,细胞学和遗传学的研究结果,但G.gossypioides,G.thurberi和G.trilobum的酶谱与D基因组其他种有较大差异却与A基因组相似。由二倍体种酶液组成的体外人工混合体与自然四倍体的比较分析表明,四倍体棉种G.darwinii,G.barbadense和G.hirsutum是A基因组和D基因组的异质组合,G.raimondii而不是G.thurberi或G.trilobum为四倍体种祖先基因组的最可能的D亚基因组供体。对过氧化物酶同工酶分析为棉属种间亲缘关系和四倍体起源的研究提供生化遗传依据的可行性进行了阐述。     

云南汉族酒精依赖综合征与COMT遗传多态性的关联研究

目的:研究儿茶酚胺氧位甲基转移酶(COMT)的不同基因型及等位基因频率在云南汉族酒精依赖综合征患者组和健康对照组的分布差异。方法:应用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法,对COMT基因的rs2075507、rs737865、rs4680、rs165599四个基因位点进行特异性扩增,限制性内切酶酶切分型。结果:上述4个候选基因中,COMT基因rs737865位点C/C基因型频率在健康对照组较酒依赖组高,其基因型分布在两组中有差异,且具有统计学意义(P<0.05)其余3个位点统计学分析均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。单倍型分析:上述四个候选基因构建出12种主要单倍型(每种单倍型在对照组和酒依赖组中的频率至少有一个大于1%),单倍型A-C-A-A有可能是云南汉族酒精依赖发生的一种危险因子(OR:2.865,P=0.003347)连锁不平衡分析显示:云南汉族人群中,COMT基因的rs2075507和rs737865之间存在着强连锁(D>0.8)结论:在云南汉族人群中,COMT基因rs2075507、rs4680和rs165599位点与酒依赖无关联性,rs737865C/C基因型可能是酒精依赖的保护因子,可能降低嗜酒的发生率。单倍型A-C-A-A有可能是云南汉族酒精依赖发生的一种危险因子云南汉族人群中,COMT基因的rs2075507和rs737865之间存在着强连锁。     

小麦籽粒淀粉分支酶遗传多样性及对支链淀粉含量的影响

采用非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,对90份小麦品种的淀粉分支酶同工酶(SBE)进行检测,以分析不同基因型对支链淀粉含量的遗传效应.结果表明:(1)SBEⅠ型显现出较为丰富的变异,具有A、B、Dⅰ和Dⅱ4个等位基因位点;SBEⅡ型仅具有SBEⅡa单一等位基因位点.根据SBEⅠ型4个基因位点在不同品种中的分布,可将90个品种分为7种基因型.不同基因型对支链淀粉含量的遗传效应分析表明,含有A位点的基因型(ADⅰDⅱ和ADⅰB)所对应的支链淀粉含量较高,且与由1个基因位点组成的基因型(Dⅰ)和2个基因位点组成的基因型(DⅰB和DⅰDⅱ)的支链淀粉含量差异显著.     

Introduction to Deep Sequencing and Its Application to Drug Addiction Research with a Focus on Rare Variants

Through linkage analysis, candidate gene approach, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), many genetic susceptibility factors for substance dependence have been discovered such as the alcohol dehydrogenase gene (ALDH2) for alcohol dependence (AD) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit variants on chromosomes 8 and 15 for nicotine dependence (ND). However, these confirmed genetic factors contribute only a small portion of the heritability responsible for each addiction. Among many potential factors, rare variants in those identified and unidentified susceptibility genes are supposed to contribute greatly to the missing heritability. Several studies focusing on rare variants have been conducted by taking advantage of next-generation sequencing technologies, which revealed that some rare variants of nAChR subunits are associated with ND in both genetic and functional studies. However, these studies investigated variants for only a small number of genes and need to be expanded to broad regions/genes in a larger population. This review presents an update on recently developed methods for rare-variant identification and association analysis and on studies focused on rare-variant discovery and function related to addictions.     

Effect of pH on the process of ternary-complex interconversion in the liver-alcohol-dehydrogenase reaction.

1. Kinetic relationships referring to multiple-turnover conditions have been derived for the slowest exponential transient appearing in two-substrate enzyme reactions proceeding by an ordered ternary-complex mechanism. The validity of these and previously derived theoretical relationships for this mechanism has been tested by application to the liver alcohol dehydrogenase reaction. 2. All essential features of the transient-state kinetics of alcohol oxidation by NAD+ in the liver alcohol dehydrogenase system can be qualitatively and quantitatively explained in view of the compulsory-order mechanism in the proposed scheme. There is no kinetic evidence for any half-of-the-sites reactivity of the enzyme. A consistent set of rate constants is reported for the enzymic oxidation of benzyl alcohol at pH 8.75. 3. Transient-state rate parameters for benzyl alcohol/benzaldehyde catalysis by liver alcohol dehydrogenase have been determined at different pH. The interpretation of such rate parameters is critically discussed with reference to their informative value for the purpose of determination of rate constants (k and k') for the process of ternary-complex interconversion in the proposed scheme. It is concluded that the apparent rate constant (k') for hydride transfer from benzyl alcohol to NAD+ is dependent on a proton dissociation step with a pKa of 6.4, whereas the rate constant (k) for hydride transfer from NADH to benzaldehyde exhibits no corresponding dependence on proton association. 4. The asymmetric pH dependence of the forward and reverse rate of ternary-complex interconversion during liver alcohol dehydrogenase catalysis appears to reflect an obligatory step of alcohol/alcoholate ion equilibration occurring at the ternary-complex level. It is suggested that the observed pKa 6.4 dependence of the transient rate of alcohol oxidation can be attributed to a coupled acid-base system involving minimally the enzyme-bound alcohol and the protein residues Ser-48 and His-51.     

Alcohol dehydrogenase controls the flux from ethanol into lipids in Drosophila larvae. A 13C NMR study

The dependence of the flux in the alcohol-degrading pathway on the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase was investigated in Drosophila larvae. Third-instar larvae were supplied with [2-13C]ethanol as a dietary carbon source. Specific carbon enrichments in de novo synthesized fatty acids were determined in vitro by means of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Carbon fluxes deduced from these enrichment patterns were correlated with the in vitro alcohol dehydrogenase activities in three different Adh genotypes in seven different strains. The flux control coefficient for alcohol dehydrogenase was shown to be approximately 1.0. This indicates that the alcohol dehydrogenase gene-enzyme system in Drosophila larvae can be a major target of natural selection.     

Allelic variation at alcohol metabolism genes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">ADH1B</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> ADH1C</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> ALDH2</Emphasis>) and alcohol dependence in an American Indian population

Enzymes encoded by two gene families, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), mediate alcohol metabolism in humans. Allelic variants have been identified that alter metabolic rates and influence risk for alcoholism. Specifically, ADH1B*47His (previously ADH2-2) and ALDH2-2 have been shown to confer protection against alcoholism, presumably through accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood and a resultant 'flushing response' to alcohol consumption. In the current study, variants at ADH1B (previously ADH2), ADH1C (previously ADH3), and ALDH2 were assayed in DNA extracts from participants belonging to a Southwest American Indian tribe (n=490) with a high prevalence of alcoholism. Each subject underwent a clinical interview for diagnosis of alcohol dependence, as well as evaluation of intermediate phenotypes such as binge drinking and flushing response to alcohol consumption. Detailed haplotypes were constructed and tested against alcohol dependence and related intermediate phenotypes using both association and linkage analysis. ADH and ALDH variants were also assayed in three Asian and one African population (no clinical data) in order to provide an evolutionary context for the haplotype data. Both linkage and association analysis identified several ADH1C alleles and a neighboring microsatellite marker that affected risk of alcohol dependence and were also related to binge drinking. These data strengthen the support for ADH as a candidate locus for alcohol dependence and suggest further productive study.     

Patterns of puffing activity in the salivary gland chromosomes of Drosophila

The patterns of puffing activity in the proximal region of 2L of D. melanogaster have been reinvestigated and revised. Possible relationships between three puffs and the structural genes for alcohol dehydrogenase, dopa decarboxylase and the histones are discussed.     

Alcohol dehydrogenase from Drosophila funebris and Drosophila immigrans: Molecular and evolutionary aspects

Alcohol dehydrogenase from Drosophila funebris and D. immigrans is evident at all developmental stages. The highest activity level appears in third-instar larvae and declines to a lower level at all later stages of development. Both species are monomorphic. The enzyme is a dimer consisting of two identical subunits with molecular weight 27,600. The pI values are 8.6 for D. funebris and 9.02 for D. immigrans. The optimum pH is 8.6 and 8.7 for D. funebris and D. immigrans, respectively. The Km values for NAD+, propan-2-ol, and butan-2-ol are 0.15, 2.90, and 2.08 mM, respectively, for D. funebris and 0.16, 1.53, and 1.49 mM, respectively, for D. immigrans. The half-life for the purified enzyme is 45 days for D. funebris and 18 days for D. immigrans at 4 degrees C. Data on the amino acid composition of both enzymes and peptide maps of alcohol dehydrogenase of D. immigrans reveal that they have marked homologies between them and also with alcohol dehydrogenases of other species. D. funebris shows reduced levels of alcohol dehydrogenase synthesis but has the highest specific activity reported to date for a Drosophila species. D. immigrans synthesises six times more enzyme but the specific activity is comparable to that of other species of Drosophila. This evidence could explain their different alcohol tolerance. The molecular properties of these alcohol dehydrogenases together with other species of Drosophila suggest that the alcohol dehydrogenase of Drosophila has arisen by divergent evolution from a common ancestral gene.     

Alcohol dehydrogenase from the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. Inhibition studies of the alleloenzymes AdhS and AdhUF

Different metal binding inhibitors of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, similarly affect the Drosophila melanogaster AdhS and AdhUF alleloenzymes. However, binding is generally weaker and the experiments show that the alleloenzymes although not zinc metalloenzymes, behave to the metal binding reagents very much as if they were. The metal-directed, affinity-labelling, imidazole derivative BrImPpOH reversibly inhibits, but does not inactivate the alleolenzymes. This confirms there is no active site metal atom with cysteine as a metal ligand, as found in zinc alcohol dehydrogenases. Pyrazole is a strong ethanol-competitive inhibitor of AdhS and AdhUF alleloenzymes. Formation of the ternary enzyme-NAD-pyrazole complex gives an absorption increase between 295-330 nm. This enables an active site titration to be performed and the determination of epsilon (305 nm) of 15.8 . 10(3) M-1 . cm-1. Inhibition experiments with imidazole confirm that with secondary alcohols such as propan-2-ol, a Theorell-Chance mechanism predominates, but with ethanol and primary alcohols, interconversion of the ternary complexes is rate limiting. Salicylate is a coenzyme competitive inhibitor and KEI suggests that the coenzyme adenosine binding region is similar is Drosophila and horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase is found not to form a ternary complex with NADH and isobutyramide. In this and other properties it is like carboxymethyl liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Both Drosophila and carboxymethyl alcohol dehydrogenase bind coenzyme in a similar manner to native horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, but substrate binding differs between each. Inhibition by Cibacrone blue, indicates that amino acid 192 which is lysine in AdhS and threonine in AdhUF, is located in the coenzyme-binding region. Proteolytic activity present in preparations of alcohol dehydrogenase from D. melanogaster, is considered due to a metalloprotease, for which BrImPpOH is a potent inactivator.     

Alcohol as a Risk Factor for Cancer Burden: A Review

Alcohol is eliminated from the body by various metabolic mechanisms. The primary enzymes in such mechanism involved are alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 2E1, and catalase. Variations in the genes for these enzymes have been found to influence alcohol consumption. The consequences of alcohol metabolism include oxygen deficits (i.e., hypoxia) in the liver, resulting in the formation of harmful compounds (i.e., adducts) and highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules (i.e., reactive oxygen species) that can damage cell components. Approximately, worldwide 3.6 % of cancers derive from chronic alcohol drinking, including those of the upper aerodigestive tract, the liver, the colorectum and the breast. Although the mechanisms for alcohol-associated carcinogenesis are not completely understood, recent findings have focused on acetaldehyde, the first and most toxic ethanol metabolite, as a cancer-causing agent. Alcohol-related carcinogenesis may aggravate due to other factors such as smoking and being triggered by genetic susceptibility. Besides, the role of genetic polymorphisms of the alcohol-metabolizing enzymes could not be ruled out.     

Benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Substrate specificities and inhibition studies.

The apparent Km and maximum velocity values of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were determined for a range of alcohols and aldehydes and the corresponding turnover numbers and specificity constants were calculated. Benzyl alcohol was the most effective alcohol substrate for benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase. Perillyl alcohol was the second most effective substrate, and was the only non-aromatic alcohol oxidized. The other substrates of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase were all aromatic in nature, with para-substituted derivatives of benzyl alcohol being better substrates than other derivatives. Coniferyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol were also substrates. Benzaldehyde was much the most effective substrate for benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II. Benzaldehydes with a single small substituent group in the meta or para position were better substrates than any other benzaldehyde derivatives. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II could also oxidize the aliphatic aldehydes hexan-1-al and octan-1-al, although poorly. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II was substrate-inhibited by benzaldehyde when the assay concentration exceeded approx. 10 microM. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II, but not benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, exhibited esterase activity with 4-nitrophenyl acetate as substrate. Both benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II were inhibited by the thiol-blocking reagents iodoacetate, iodoacetamide, 4-chloromercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide. Benzyl alcohol or benzaldehyde respectively protected against these inhibitions. NAD+ also gave some protection. Neither benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase nor benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II was inhibited by the metal-ion-chelating agents EDTA, 2,2'-bipyridyl, pyrazole or 2-phenanthroline. Neither enzyme was inhibited by a range of plausible metabolic inhibitors such as mandelate, phenylglyoxylate, benzoate, succinate, acetyl-CoA, ATP or ADP. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II was sensitive to inhibition by several aromatic aldehydes; in particular, ortho-substituted benzaldehydes such as 2-bromo-, 2-chloro- and 2-fluoro-benzaldehydes were potent inhibitors of the enzyme.