First description and evaluation of SNPs in the ADH and ALDH genes in a population of alcoholics in Central-West Brazil

Aldehyde dehydrogenase in solid tumors and other diseases: Potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets

The family of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) contains 19 isozymes and is involved in the oxidation of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes to carboxylic acids, which contributes to cellular and tissue homeostasis. ALDHs play essential parts in detoxification, biosynthesis, and antioxidants, which are of important value for cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in normal body tissues. However, ALDHs are frequently dysregulated and associated with various diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and especially solid tumors. Notably, the involvement of the ALDHs in tumor progression is responsible for the maintenance of the stem-cell-like phenotype, triggering rapid and aggressive clinical progressions. ALDHs have captured increasing attention as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Nevertheless, these require further longitudinal clinical studies in large populations for broad application. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding ALDHs as potential biomarkers in tumors and several non-tumor diseases, as well as recent advances in our understanding of the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of ALDHs in disease development. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of ALDHs in diseases, especially in tumor therapy with an emphasis on their clinical implications.

Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Role of Antioxidants in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent, comorbid, and disabling disorder. The underlying mechanism of ethanol neurotoxicity and the involvement of oxidative stress is still not fully elucidated. However, ethanol metabolism has been associated with increased oxidative stress through alcohol dehydrogenase, the microsomal ethanol oxidation system, and catalase metabolic pathways. We searched the PubMed and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) catalog databases to review the literature systematically and summarized the findings focusing on AUD and alcohol abstinence in relation to oxidative stress. In addition, we reviewed the ClinicalTrials.gov resource of the US National Library of Medicine to identify all ongoing and completed clinical trials that include therapeutic interventions based on antioxidants. The retrieved clinical and preclinical studies show that oxidative stress impacts AUD through genetics, alcohol metabolism, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Characteristic and influencing factors of Taqman genotyping calling error

BACKGROUND

Taqman fluorescent probe was frequently applied in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. However, the characteristic of calling error and the influencing factors remain unclear.

METHOD

Calling errors of Taqman genotyping was evaluated systematically based on Mendelian inheritance. Twenty-two SNPs were genotyped by Taqman probe for 419 pedigrees. Mendelian genetic errors were counted for every SNP and pedigree. Cluster analysis was applied to investigate the compatibility between Taqman probes and DNA sample.

RESULTS

On one hand, errors were found for all the SNPs. The error number ranged from 4 to 33 with median of 10.5. On the other hand, Mendelian genetic errors showed features of both randomness and cluster. Half of the pedigrees containing errors had only 1 Mendelian genetic error. But there was also a pedigree containing up to 10 Mendelian genetic errors. Furthermore, cluster analysis indicated that errors of different SNPs took place in different pedigree cluster.

CONCLUSION

It could be concluded that calling error is inevitable for Taqman genotyping of large samples. The quality of Taqman probe and DNA sample, as well as their compatibility, may account for the error incidence.