One of the primary toxic metabolites of alcohol (ethanol) metabolism, acetaldehyde causes protein adducts and cellular dysfunction at the molecular level, and acetaldehyde accumulation causes facial flushing, tachycardia, headache and nausea, and alcohol avoidance at the physiological level. Acetaldehyde is primarily cleared by aldehyde dehydrogenases, namely ALDH2, ALDH1B1, and ALDH1A1. ALDH2 has been well characterized and a well-known inactivating polymorphism, ALDH2*2 has been found to affect approximately 50% of some Asian populations. ALDH1B1 has been partially characterized more recently, but there is much to learn. Recent epidemiological studies have identified polymorphisms of ALDH1B1 which are associated with alcohol avoidance and alcohol hypersensitivity reactions;this is the first such variant in acetaldehyde clearance reported in Caucasian populations. In addition to the alcohol metabolism pathway, we also hypothesize that ALDH1B1 may play a role in the bioactivation of nitroglycerin and retinoic acid;the latter could have significant implications in cancer biology. Given these roles, we propose a comprehensive characterization of ALDH1B1 using a broad range of techniques including molecular modeling, enzyme kinetics, metabolomics, high throughput screening of inhibitors and activators, and site directed mutagenesis to better understand multiple dynamic aspects of this potentially critical enzyme. First a more complete spectrum of substrates for ALDH1B1 will be tested including those which we hypothesize from previous evidence (nitroglycerin and retinaldehyde), and those which are determined by unbiased metabolomic approaches. To better allow manipulation of ALDH1B1 levels in experimental systems, an inhibitor and activator profile will be determined, first using known ALDH inhibitors, and later using high throughput screening techniques. It is likely that ALDH1B1 is phosphorylated, and we will use spectrometry combined with kinases and phosphatases to determine if ALDH1B1 is phosphorylated, and if so, whether these modifications alter enzyme activity levels. Finally, the three variants of ALDH1B1 which are nonsynonymous and present at a frequency of at least 1% in human populations will be created through site-directed mutagenesis, expressed in a baculovirus system, and characterized for enzyme activity to better understand what effects these potentially inactive enzymes will have in individuals who carry them. These experiments will help to better understand the effects that differential acetaldehyde metabolism may have on Caucasian populations, as well as clarifying the other, diverse roles of ALDH1B1.

Public Health Relevance

In this study we propose to characterize the effects of an enzyme (ALDH1B1) which modulates the extent of alcohol symptoms and toxicity. Similar to ALDH2*2, a variant in Asian populations which causes facial flushing and increased nausea and headaches after consuming alcohol, ALDH1B1 has polymorphisms which may affect the alcohol sensitivity of Caucasian populations. Better characterization of this critical enzyme will improve public health by allowing a more complete understanding of alcohol sensitivity and susceptibility to alcoholism.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AA020728-03
Application #
8516913
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-DD (03))
Program Officer
Murray, Gary
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$27,849
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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Jackson, Brian C; Reigan, Philip; Miller, Bettina et al. (2015) Human ALDH1B1 polymorphisms may affect the metabolism of acetaldehyde and all-trans retinaldehyde--in vitro studies and computational modeling. Pharm Res 32:1648-62
Heit, Claire; Jackson, Brian C; McAndrews, Monica et al. (2013) Update of the human and mouse SERPIN gene superfamily. Hum Genomics 7:22
Vasiliou, Vasilis; Sandoval, Monica; Backos, Donald S et al. (2013) ALDH16A1 is a novel non-catalytic enzyme that may be involved in the etiology of gout via protein-protein interactions with HPRT1. Chem Biol Interact 202:22-31
Singh, Surendra; Brocker, Chad; Koppaka, Vindhya et al. (2013) Aldehyde dehydrogenases in cellular responses to oxidative/electrophilic stress. Free Radic Biol Med 56:89-101
Jackson, Brian C; Holmes, Roger S; Backos, Donald S et al. (2013) Comparative genomics, molecular evolution and computational modeling of ALDH1B1 and ALDH2. Chem Biol Interact 202:11-21
Jackson, Brian C; Thompson, David C; Wright, Mathew W et al. (2011) Update of the human secretoglobin (SCGB) gene superfamily and an example of 'evolutionary bloom' of androgen-binding protein genes within the mouse Scgb gene superfamily. Hum Genomics 5:691-702