Alcohol and molecular regulation of protein glycosylation and function

Human apolipoprotein E glycosylation and sialylation: from structure to function

Human apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was first identified as a polymorphic gene in the 1970s; however, the genetic association of ApoE genotypes with late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) was only discovered 20 years later. Since then, intensive research has been undertaken to understand the molecular effects of ApoE in the development of sAD. Despite three decades' worth of effort and over 10,000 papers published, the greatest mystery in the ApoE field remains: human ApoE isoforms differ by only one or two amino acid residues; what is responsible for their significantly distinct roles in the etiology of sAD, with ApoE4 conferring the greatest genetic risk for sAD whereas ApoE2 providing exceptional neuroprotection against sAD. Emerging research starts to point to a novel and compelling hypothesis that the sialoglycans posttranslationally appended to human ApoE may serve as a critical structural modifier that alters the biology of ApoE, leading to the opposing impacts of ApoE isoforms on sAD and likely in the peripheral systems as well. ApoE has been shown to be posttranslationally glycosylated in a species-, tissue-, and cell-specific manner. Human ApoE, particularly in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is highly glycosylated, and the glycan chains are exclusively attached via an O-linkage to serine or threonine residues. Moreover, studies have indicated that human ApoE glycans undergo sialic acid modification or sialylation, a structural alteration found to be more prominent in ApoE derived from the brain and CSF than plasma. However, whether the sialylation modification of human ApoE has a biological role is largely unexplored. Our group recently first reported that the three major isoforms of human ApoE in the brain undergo varying degrees of sialylation, with ApoE2 exhibiting the most abundant sialic acid modification, whereas ApoE4 is the least sialylated. Our findings further indicate that the sialic acid moiety on human ApoE glycans may serve as a critical modulator of the interaction of ApoE with amyloid β (Aβ) and downstream Aβ pathogenesis, a prominent pathologic feature in AD. In this review, we seek to provide a comprehensive summary of this exciting and rapidly evolving area of ApoE research, including the current state of knowledge and opportunities for future exploration.

Diagnostic Usefulness of Disialotransferrin as an Indicator of Binge Drinking in Children and Adolescents

Background/Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of changes in transferrin isoforms, especially disialo-Tf, in identifying binge drinking children and adolescents admitted to hospital emergency. Methods: The study group consisted of 122 ambulatory children and adolescents below 18 years of age and 30 healthy subjects. From the group of drinkers, those with acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) were identified (ICD-11, code F10.0). The isoforms of transferrin were separated by capillary electrophoresis into five major fractions: asialo-Tf, disialo-Tf, trisialo-Tf, tetrasialo-Tf, and pentasialo-Tf. The differences between binge drinking youth and nondrinking subjects were evaluated by Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: In the total study group and in both genders, the concentration of disialo-Tf was significantly higher in the binge drinkers compared to the nondrinking youth (p = 0.006). With respect to the gender, the level of disialo-Tf was significantly higher in binge drinking than nondrinking girls (p = 0.028) and the value of trisialo-Tf was lower in binge drinking than nondrinking boys (p = 0.011). In the AAI subgroup, the concentrations of disialo-Tf and tetrasialo-Tf were significantly higher in comparison to nondrinking subjects (p = 0.002, p = 0.039, respectively). There were no significant correlations between the BAC and the transferrin isoforms in the total group and the AAI subgroup. The disialo-Tf reached the highest diagnostic power (AUC = 0.718) in identifying binge drinkers at diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of 86.7% and 51.6%, respectively (at cut-off 0.70), in the total group and it was growing up to AUC = 0.761 with the diagnostic sensitivity of 60% in the AAI subgroup. Conclusions: The disialo-Tf might be a useful biomarker to identify binge drinking children and adolescents.

Post-translational modifications of histone and non-histone proteins in epigenetic regulation and translational applications in alcohol-associated liver disease: Challenges and research opportunities

Epigenetic regulation is a process that takes place through adaptive cellular pathways influenced by environmental factors and metabolic changes to modulate gene activity with heritable phenotypic variations without altering the DNA sequences of many target genes. Epigenetic regulation can be facilitated by diverse mechanisms: many different types of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone and non-histone nuclear proteins, DNA methylation, altered levels of noncoding RNAs, incorporation of histone variants, nucleosomal positioning, chromatin remodeling, etc. These factors modulate chromatin structure and stability with or without the involvement of metabolic products, depending on the cellular context of target cells or environmental stimuli, such as intake of alcohol (ethanol) or Western-style high-fat diets. Alterations of epigenetics have been actively studied, since they are frequently associated with multiple disease states. Consequently, explorations of epigenetic regulation have recently shed light on the pathogenesis and progression of alcohol-associated disorders. In this review, we highlight the roles of various types of PTMs, including less-characterized modifications of nuclear histone and non-histone proteins, in the epigenetic regulation of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and other disorders. We also describe challenges in characterizing specific PTMs and suggest future opportunities for basic and translational research to prevent or treat ALD and many other disease states.

Asialo-transferrin: Biochemical aspects and association with alcohol abuse investigation

Asialo-human transferrin (asialo-hTf) is a glycoform of the human serum protein transferrin characterized by the lack of the sialic acid (SA) terminal unit. It is known that glycosylation micro-heterogeneity and the presence of SA are strongly involved in protein functioning and pathophysiological activities. Some hTf glycoforms are valuable biomarkers for the detection of both genetic defects of glycosylation and/or sialoform distribution changes. The detection of the carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) glycoforms is currently a widely employed method for the diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse. The physiological significance of asialo-hTf is still unclear, despite its important biological implications. The current knowledge suggests that asialo-hTf may be involved in regulation of iron transport and release at the hepatic level, which, consequently, could strongly be affected by alcohol consumption. For these reasons, a deeper understanding of asialo-hTf structure and its physiological role is required, and an improved method of its analysis would favor the detection of both chronic abuse and other habits of alcohol intake and/or misuse. Thus, suitable analytical methods possessing higher sensitivity and specificity in comparison with the currently available techniques are certainly recommended. The present review summarizes the studies on asialo-hTf structure, roles, and detection techniques mainly in relation to its possible use as a potentially additional useful biomarker of alcohol abuse, and underlines its prospective value as a forensic and diagnostic tool.

CYP2E1, oxidative stress, post-translational modifications and lipid metabolism

Chronic alcohol-mediated down-regulation of hepatic ST6Gal1 gene leads to defective glycosylation of lipid-carrying apolipoproteins such as apo E and apo J, resulting in defective VLDL assembly and intracellular lipid and lipoprotein transport, which in turn is responsible for alcoholic hepatosteatosis and ALD. The mechanism of ethanol action involves thedepletion of a unique RNA binding protein that specifically interacts with its 3'-UTR region of ST6Gal1 mRNA resulting in its destabilization and consequent appearance of asialoconjugates as alcohol biomarkers. With respect to ETOH effects on Cardio-Vascular Diseases, we conclude that CYP2E1 and ETOH mediated oxidative stress significantly down regulates not only the hepatic PON1 gene expression, but also serum PON1 and HCTLase activities accompanied by depletion of hepatic GSH, the endogenous antioxidant. These results strongly implicate the susceptibility of PON1 to increased ROS production. In contrast, betaine seems to be both hepatoprotective and atheroprotective by reducing hepatosteatosis and restoring not only liver GSH that quenches free radicals, but also the antiatherogenic PON1 gene expression and activity.

Glycoconjugates in the detection of alcohol abuse

Up to 30% of all hospital admissions and health-care costs may be attributable to alcohol abuse. Ethanol, its oxidative metabolites, acetaldehyde and ROS (reactive oxygen species), non-oxidative metabolites of alcohol [e.g. FAEEs (fatty acid ethyl esters)] and the ethanol-water competition mechanism are all involved in the deregulation of glycoconjugate (glycoprotein, glycolipid and proteoglycan) metabolic processes including biosynthesis, modification, transport, secretion, elimination and catabolism. An increasing number of new alcohol biomarkers that are the result of alcohol-induced glycoconjugate metabolic errors have appeared in the literature. Glycoconjugate-related alcohol markers are involved in, or are a product of, altered glycoconjugate metabolism, e.g. CDT (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin), SA (sialic acid), plasma SIJ (SA index of apolipoprotein J), CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein), β-HEX (β-hexosaminidase), dolichol, EtG (ethyl glucuronide) etc. Laboratory tests based on changes in glycoconjugate metabolism are useful in settings where the co-operativeness of the patient is impaired (e.g. driving while intoxicated) or when a history of alcohol use is not available (e.g. after trauma). In clinical practice, glycoconjugate markers of alcohol use/abuse let us distinguish alcoholic from non-alcoholic tissue damage, having important implications for the treatment and management of diseases.

Lipid-bound sialic acid in alcoholics participates in increased level of total sialic acid

Serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentration is a sensitive marker of excessive alcohol consumption and is the sum of protein-bound sialic acid, lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA), and free sialic acid. The LSA is the fraction of SA attached to gangliosides that are transported in the blood by the lipoproteins. In this article, the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the serum levels of LSA was evaluated. The objective of the study was to understand the mechanism of elevated serum TSA concentration during alcohol abuse. Additionally, the association of LSA with serum lipid profile was tested. For this purpose, the levels of LSA, TSA, lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins (apos) in the sera of 106 alcoholics were measured. The serum level of LSA in alcohol abusers was significantly elevated. This increase was because of the elevated level of LSA in patients drinking alcohol up to 2 days before sampling. The elevated level of LSA positively correlated with TSA, and also with biochemical indices of hepatocellular injury such as aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, but did not correlate with any lipids, apos, and lipoproteins. The increase in LSA level is not related with the status of serum lipid profile but is related to the liver status estimated by the biochemical markers of liver cell damage. On the basis of our results, we conclude that the elevated level of LSA in alcohol abusers contributes to an increase in the serum concentration of TSA, and contrary to TSA, is affected by the status of liver cells.

Capillary electrophoresis and the clinical laboratory

Over the past 15 years, CE as an analytical tool has shown great promise in replacing many conventional clinical laboratory methods, such as electrophoresis and HPLC. CE's appeal was that it was fast, used very small amounts of sample and reagents, was extremely versatile, and was able to separate large and small analytes, whether neutral or charged. Because of this versatility, numerous methods have been developed for analytes that are of clinical interest. Other than molecular diagnostic and forensic laboratories CE has not been able to make a major impact in the United States. In contrast, in Europe and Japan an increasing number of clinical laboratories are using CE. Now that automated multicapillary instruments are commercially available along with cost-effective test kits, CE may yet be accepted as an instrument that will be routinely used in the clinical laboratories. This review will focus on areas where CE has the potential to have the greatest impact on the clinical laboratory. These include analyses of proteins found in serum and urine, hemoglobin (A1c and variants), carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, forensic and therapeutic drug screening, and molecular diagnostics.

Chronic ethanol consumption down-regulates CMP-NeuAc:GM3 α2,8-sialyltransferase (ST8Sia-1) gene in the rat brain

Alcoholics have an increase in sialic acid-deficient glycoconjugates such as carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, sialic acid-deficient gangliosides and free sialic acids. The elevated presence of these asialoconjugates could be a consequence of alcohol-mediated impaired sialylation rate or due to increased desialylation rate. Chronic ethanol-induced brain abnormalities and behavioral changes could be mediated through these asialogangliosides. We have therefore determined the level of brain CMP-NeuAc:GM(3) alpha2,8-sialyltransferase (ST8Sia-1) and Gal-beta1,3GalNAc alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal-11) messenger RNA (mRNA) and correlated with the activity of these key enzymes in male Wistar rats as a function of increasing dietary concentration of ethanol after 8 weeks of feeding. The relative level of brain synaptosomal ST8Sia-1 and ST3Gal-11 mRNA were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We compared the observed ST8Sia-1 gene expression with its enzymatic activity in the synaptosomal membrane fraction isolated from the rat brain in the ethanol and pair-fed control groups. The results showed that the relative level of brain ST8Sia-1 mRNA expression was down-regulated by 13% (p<0.05) in 10.6%, by 40% (p<0.01) in 20.8% and by 57% (p<0.01) in the 36% ethanol-calorie groups, compared to the control (0% ethanol-calorie) group. In addition, ethanol at 36% dietary calories caused a significant 61% (p<0.01) decrease in the brain synaptosomal ST8Sia-1 activity compared to the control group. However, ethanol (10.6, 20.8 or 36% level) did not significantly affect the relative level of brain ST3Gal-11 mRNA as compared to the control (0% ethanol-calorie) group. Thus, our findings imply that chronic ethanol exposure preferentially down-regulates brain ST8Sia-1 mRNA accompanied by a concomitant decrease in its activity in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the selective loss of 2,8-sialic acid residues from gangliosides might contribute towards the appearance of asialogangliosides and related brain-abnormalities associated with ethanol abuse.

Gene expression patterns of the liver in response to alcohol: in vivo and in vitro models compared

Two basic models of alcoholic liver disease pathogenesis exist, one in vivo and one in vitro. To justify the in vitro model, evidence is needed to show that it stimulates the in vivo model. Therefore, changes in gene expression caused by high ethanol level were compared using the two models. Many functional pathways were upregulated in both models. These included the insulin signaling pathway, TGFbeta signaling pathway, apoptosis, MAPK signaling pathway, wnt signaling pathway and apoptosis. Differences were found in the fatty acids synthesis pathway, which was upregulated in vivo; and glycosylation enzymes which were downregulated in vivo. Also, downregulated in vitro were beta oxidation by mitochondria and translation factors. Catalase and superoxide dismutase in mitochondria were upregulated in vitro. These two enzymes have antioxidant effects. In summary, remarkably similar responses to high alcohol levels in the form of changes in gene expression pathways were found in the in vivo and in vitro models tested.

Chronic ethanol consumption upregulates the cytosolic and plasma membrane sialidase genes, but down regulates lysosomal membrane sialidase gene in rat liver

We have previously shown that chronic ethanol feeding stimulates liver cytosolic sialidase (CS) and plasma membrane sialidase (PMS), whereas it decreases lysosomal membrane sialidase (LMS) activities with concomitant alterations in their relative synthetic rate in rat. To understand the molecular mechanism(s) for these changes, we have evaluated the effect of ethanol administration in male Wistar rats as a function of increasing dietary ethanol concentration after 8 weeks of pair-feeding on (i) the expression of CS, PMS, and LMS genes by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method; (ii) their relative transcription rates by nuclear run-on assay; and (iii) the actual amount of these sialidase proteins in the liver fractions of the respective groups by Western blot method. We have demonstrated that the animals fed with 10.6%, 20.8%, and 36% of total calories as ethanol showed a 20% (P<.05), 34% (P<.01), and 69% (P<.01) increase in CS mRNA level, and 22% (P<.05), 26% (P<.01), and 47% (P<.01) increase in PMS mRNA level, but a decrease in LMS mRNA level by 35% (P<.05), 50% (P<.01), and 80% (P<.01), respectively, as compared to controls. Western blot analyses of CS, PMS, and LMS in the liver subfractions showed that changes in protein levels of CS, LMS, and PMS were consistent with the corresponding changes in the respective mRNA levels. Thus, the upregulation of CS and PMS, but not LMS which is down regulated by chronic ethanol, may account for the appearance of asialoconjugates in alcoholics.

Ethanol destabilizes liver Gal beta l, 4GlcNAc alpha2,6-sialyltransferase, mRNA by depleting a 3'-untranslated region-specific binding protein

Asialoconjugates are viable biomarkers for alcohol abuse. We previously showed that chronic ethanol feeding down-regulated liver Gal beta l, 4GlcNAc alpha2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal l) mRNA by destabilizing it. Since RNA-binding proteins are known to stabilize many eukaryotic mRNAs by interacting with the 3'-untranslated region (UTR), we have delineated the possible mechanism by which ethanol destabilizes ST6Gal l mRNA. Using (32)P-labeled RNA probes generated from a 2.7-kb 3'-UTR of ST6Gal l mRNA, we identified a liver cytosolic 41-kDa specific binding protein that interacts with its 3'-UTR domain and protects it from degradation in normal rat liver but disappears after chronic ethanol treatment. Mapping of the binding region revealed that four RNA probes of 80-base pair (bp) length spanning the 304 bp of the 3'-UTR of ST6Gal l mRNA showed equal binding intensity. The corresponding cDNA sequences for the four 80-bp RNA probes share the 13-bp consensus sequence. Mutagenesis analysis identified that four nucleotides, AG and TC, among the consensus sequences were critical for the RNA-protein interaction. Therefore, 5'-CAGCCTCCTCCCT-3' serves as a cis-element critically involved in this interaction. The RNA-protein complex formation progressively decreased with increasing dietary ethanol, resulting in its virtual disappearance with 36% of the dietary calories as ethanol. Concomitantly, the same ethanol diet decreased sialic acid index of plasma apolipoprotein J by 45% (p < 0.05). Thus, depletion of a binding protein that specifically interacts with its 3'-UTR region of ST6Gal l mRNA may account for its destabilization and consequent appearance of asialoconjugates as alcohol biomarkers.

Effects of chronic ethanol administration on the activities and relative synthetic rates of myelin and synaptosomal plasma membrane-associated sialidase in the rat brain

In an attempt to understand the possible mechanism of chronic ethanol-induced generation of asialoconjugates in the brain and consequent behavioral abnormalities, we have studied the effects of chronic ethanol feeding to rats on the plasma membrane sialidase status in the various subcellular fractions of the brain. We determined sialidase activity using 3H-monosialoganglioside (3H-GM3), 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (4-MU-NeuAC) substrates and Amplex Red (Sialidase) kit. We determined the plasma membrane sialidase protein by Western blot using the anti-plasma membrane sialidase. We also determined its relative synthetic rate (RSR) by the 60 min incorporation of intracranially infused [35S]-methionine (50 microCi/100 g) into immunoprecipitable plasma membrane sialidase. Chronic ethanol administration stimulated the sialidase activity in the total brain homogenate as well as the myelin and synaptosomal membrane fractions, respectively, in all the three experimental models. Chronic ethanol also increased the concentration of the rat brain plasma membrane sialidase protein relative to that of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by 2.4-, 1.62- and 1.51-fold in the total brain homogenate, myelin and synaptosomal membrane fractions, respectively. These increases in plasma membrane sialidase activity and its protein content were due to concomitant increases in their relative synthetic rates by 115% (p < 0.01) and 72% (p < 0.01) in the myelin and synaptosomal membrane fractions, respectively. Thus, our studies clearly show that chronic ethanol induced deglycosylation of brain gangliosides is in part, due to specific up-regulation of plasma membrane sialidase in the myelin and synaptosomal membrane fractions of the brain. This increase in plasma membrane sialidase may be responsible for chronic-ethanol-induced physiological and neurological impairment in the brain, presumably due to deglycosylation of gangliosides that are essential for crucial cellular and metabolic activities.

Chronic ethanol feeding controls the activities of various sialidases by regulating their relative synthetic rates in the rat liver

We have determined the concentration effects of feeding for 8 weeks 10.8%, 21.6%, and 36% dietary ethanol calories on the activities and relative synthetic rates (RSRs) of various subcellular sialidases of rat liver. The hepatic RSRs of each species of sialidase was determined based on the ratio of 1-hour incorporation of [35S]-methionine into immunoprecipitable sialidase as percent of the incorporation into total protein in each subcellular fraction. Ganglioside sialidase activities in the hepatic subcellular fractions were also determined. Ethanol feeding at 36% dietary calories caused an increase in the ganglioside sialidase activity of the plasma membrane sialidase (PMS) by 232% (P < .01) and that of cytosolic sialidase (CS) by 184% (P < .05), but decreased the lysosomal membrane sialidase (LMS) by 54% (P < .01) when compared with the control animals. The specificity of each antisialidase antibody was verified by immunoblots. The RSR of PMS was increased by 40% (P < .01), 67% (P < .01), and 220% (P < .01) in the 10.8%, 21.6%, and 36% ethanol groups, respectively. Similarly, the RSR of CS was increased by 17% (P < .01), 19% (P < .01), and 63% (P < .01), respectively, in these ethanol groups. In contrast, the RSR of LMS was inhibited by 36% (P < .01), 34% (P < .01), and 69% (P < .01), respectively, in these ethanol groups. Intralysosomal sialidase failed to hydrolyze gangliosides. Thus, PMS and CS, but not LMS or intralysosomal sialidase, may play important roles in ethanol-modulated desialylation of gangliosides and consequent liver injury and behavioral alterations.

Ethanol perturbs the secretory pathway in astrocytes

Ethanol exposure induces retention of glycoproteins in growing astrocytes. We examined the intracellular sites at which this retention occurs and investigated whether this effect is accompanied by alterations in the Golgi complex and microtubular system. We studied the effects of ethanol on the Golgi complex structure, as well as on the secretory pathway functionality by monitoring both the transport of the VSV-G protein and the protein levels of several molecules involved in the regulation of this pathway. Ethanol was found to delay VSV-G transport, modify Golgi complex morphology, and reduce the number of secretory vesicles. Moreover, ethanol affected the levels of mannosidase II, p58, betaCOP, rbet1, and several Rab GTPases. It also affected microtubule organization and polymerization and the levels of the motor proteins kinesin and dynein. Most of these effects were dose-dependent. These alterations, together with those previously reported concerning biosynthesis of glycoconjugates, provide novel insights into how ethanol impairs brain development.

Mechanism of action of ethanol in the down-regulation of Gal(beta)1, 4GlcNAc alpha2,6-sialyltransferase messenger RNA in human liver cell lines

Gal beta l, 4GlcNAc alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase (2,6-ST) mediates the addition of alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid to glycoproteins in the Golgi compartment. Down-regulation of its gene and consequent impaired activity of 2,6-ST seems to be the major cause for the appearance of asialoconjugates in the blood of long-term alcoholics. Therefore, mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of 2,6-ST gene is important and clinically relevant. Our previous work showed that long-term ethanol feeding in rats caused a marked 59% decrease of 2,6-ST activity as well as 2,6-ST messenger RNA (mRNA) level in liver that were due to the decreased stability of its mRNA. We now mimic these actions of ethanol using ( a ) human liver HepG2 cells stably transfected with ethanol-inducible human cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1 cells), or ( b ) with high alcohol dehydrogenase (HAD cells) but not in wild-type HepG2 cells lacking either of the above 2 enzymes as models. Incubation of these cells for 72 hours with 100 mmol/L ethanol caused decreases (up to 76%, P < .05) of 2,6-ST mRNA levels in CYP2E1 and HAD cells but not in the wild type. However, incubation of wild-type cells with acetaldehyde at concentrations of 50 and 100 micro mol/L showed a dramatic decrease (up to 69%, P < .02) in the 2,6-ST mRNA levels. Furthermore, exposure of CYP2E1 cells to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, an endogenous lipid peroxidation product of reactive oxygen species, strongly decreased 2,6-ST mRNA level by 61% ( P < .02). These results demonstrate that 2,6-ST gene is highly sensitive to ethanol action in human liver cells either via its oxidation product, acetaldehyde, or via reactive oxygen species leading to the generation of a more reactive aldehyde such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. Thus, this study assumes major importance and clinical relevance because 2,6-ST gene regulation in a human liver cell model is demonstrated within a few days of ethanol exposure, whereas its in vivo regulation in liver generally takes prolonged period of ethanol exposure.

Ethanol-induced alterations in Rab proteins: possible implications for pituitary dysfunction

Chronic exposure of pubertal male rats to ethanol results in a decline in serum testosterone, increased gonadotropins, pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) content, and decreased or inappropriately normal serum LH and FSH levels, suggesting impaired secretory release of gonadotropins. The molecular mechanisms behind this disorder are undefined, but a disruption of vesicle-mediated secretory processes is possible because intracellular protein trafficking pathways are involved in secretion of glycoproteins such as FSH and LH. Because small GTP-binding proteins of Rab family have been implicated as key regulators of membrane and protein trafficking in mammalian cells, this study was designed to test if ethanol-impaired pituitary FSH and LH secretion is associated with changes in Rab proteins, particularly Rab1B, Rab3B, Rab6, and Rab11. Male Sprague-Dawley rats 35 days old were pair-fed a Lieber-DeCarli diet with ethanol or without ethanol for 5 to 60 days. After ethanol exposure, serum testosterone levels decreased while LH and FSH were inappropriately unchanged. Immunohistochemical staining showed decreased Rab1B, Rab3B, and Rab11 protein levels in ethanol-treated pituitaries. Immunoblotting showed that ethanol induced a transient reduction in Rab6 after 5 days of ethanol exposure, whereas Rab3B decreased after 20 days, Rab11 after 30 days, and Rab1B after 60 days. Despite these changes in Rab proteins, mRNA levels were unaffected by ethanol exposure. We concluded that reductions in key Rab proteins may lead to altered vesicle trafficking and may play a role in disruption of pituitary FSH and LH secretion caused by ethanol.

Platelet serotonin uptake and paroxetine binding among allelic genotypes of the serotonin transporter in alcoholics

Expression rates of long (L) and short (S) alleles of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT) gene have been shown to differ under various circumstances. We compared 5-HTT uptake (function) level and paroxetine binding (density) in platelets of alcoholics as indices of 5-HTT expression rate among LL, LS, and SS genotypes. Concentration curves of [3H]5-HT and [3H]paroxetine were used to quantify the equilibrium constant (Km) and maximum 5-HT uptake rate (Vmax) for 5-HTT uptake into intact platelets and the dissociation constant (Kd) and maximum specific binding density (Bmax) for paroxetine binding to platelet membranes, respectively. Genotypes were determined using electrophoresis with fluorescent markers. Vmax for 5-HTT uptake did not correlate with Bmax for paroxetine binding (r=-0.095, P=0.415). Means of Vmax and Bmax did not differ in a statistically significant manner among LL, LS, and SS genotypes in these alcoholic subjects. However, Vmax for LL and SS appeared to have a bimodal distribution, so the percentage of subjects with Vmax <200 fmol/min-10(7) platelets was statistically significantly higher in LL than in SS (51.5% vs. 22.7%, respectively), with an odds ratio of 3.6 (P<0.05). The percentage of Vmax <200 fmol/min-10(7) platelets for LS was 39.3% (not significant vs. LL or SS). Previous studies of healthy human controls have shown that 5-HTT density in raphe nuclei and 5-HTT uptake in platelets are higher in the LL genotype than in S carriers. Our findings in currently drinking alcoholics support the hypothesis that those with the LL genotype of the 5'-HTTLPR region of the 5-HTT gene have reduced 5-HTT function.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT)--a biomarker for long-term alcohol consumption

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is a biomarker for chronic alcohol intake of more than 60 g ethanol/d. It has been reported to be superior to conventional markers like gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume MCV). This review covers theoretical and analytical aspects, with data from controlled drinking experiments and from different population subgroups such as subjects with different liver diseases or different drinking patterns. CDT determinations are particularly indicated in (1) cases of chronic alcohol consumption and relapses after withdrawal, (2) license reapplication after driving under alcohol influence, (3) differentiating patients with enzyme-inducing medication from those with alcohol abuse, 4) congenital disorders of glycosylation such as carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome Ia (CDGS Ia), and (5) patients treated for galactosemia. The main advantage of CDT is its high specificity, as evidenced in combination with increased alcohol consumption. CDT values are not markedly influenced by medication except in immunosuppressed patients, who may show low CDT values. In general, CDT values appear less elevated after alcohol intake in women. The main disadvantage is the relatively low sensitivity. Hence, this parameter is not suitable for screening for subjects with alcohol abuse in the general population. As CDT, GGT, and MCV are connected with chronic alcohol consumption by different pathophysiological mechanisms, a combination of these parameters will further improve the diagnostic value.

Asialoglycoprotein receptor facilitates hemolysis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Hemolysis in patients with advanced alcoholic liver disease is a common clinical problem and indicates an unfavorable prognosis. In many cases, the etiology of the hemolysis remains unknown. We observed three patients with alcoholic liver disease, suffering from severe hemolytic anemia, requiring multiple blood transfusions. Steroid therapy was ineffective and two of the patients died. All patients had a soluble variant of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor (s-ASGP-R) in their serum, as well as high titers of autoantibodies against this receptor (anti-ASGP-R). Consecutively, examination of 60 patients with alcoholic liver disease revealed a high incidence for s-ASGP-R (36%) and anti-ASGP-R (27%) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) compared to patients with cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis. The potential etiology of hemolysis was studied in vitro on erythrocytes from patients with ALC and from healthy donors. Isolated ASGP-R but not anti-ASGP-R bound to the surface of erythrocytes preferentially of blood group A1 and caused dose-dependent agglutination and hemolysis, while this phenomenon was much lower using erythrocytes of the blood group B and almost absent with blood group O-erythrocytes. Furthermore, agglutination and hemolysis only occurred in erythrocytes from ALC-patients or after the pre-treatment of cells with neuraminidase. ASGP-R induced agglutination and hemolysis was blocked by the competitive ASGP-R inhibitor asialofetuin. In conclusion, our results indicate a new, non-immunological mechanism for hemolysis in patients with alcoholic liver disease, mediated through agglutination by a soluble variant of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor and mechanical shear stress.

Biochemical markers of alcohol use in pregnant women

OBJECTIVES

To describe the serious health consequences of alcohol (ethanol) use, especially as they relate to pregnancy and the development of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The classic markers of alcohol exposure, including blood/breath alcohol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin-associated acetaldehyde (HAA) and carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), are valuable and their methods of analysis are reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Since both FAS and FAE represent two of the leading preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects, identification of alcohol use early in pregnancy is important to avoid adverse fetal outcomes. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of FAS and FAE is usually made after birth, when alcohol damage has become irreversible and permanent. The clinical laboratory can help prevent this damage and make a valuable contribution in assessing prenatal alcohol use. The clinical utility of blood/breath alcohol, gammaGT, MCV, HAA and CDT in alcohol use identification, especially in pregnancy, is substantial. Although none of the markers singularly has adequate sensitivity and specificity for screening, their diagnostic utility increases when measured as a panel. This is especially true in detecting alcohol use in pregnancy where the presence of several positive markers was correlated with the presence of alcohol-related fetal effects.

Carbohydrate-deficient Transferrin Isoforms Measured by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis for Detection of Alcohol Abuse

Background: Measurements of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) are used as markers of alcohol abuse. We developed a capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method aimed at improving accuracy of CDT testing.

Methods: We studied 111 alcohol abusers with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores &gt;11 and 50 teetotalers. CZE was performed with a P/ACE 5500, fused-silica capillaries, and a CEofix CDT reagent set. After iron saturation, sera were loaded by low-pressure injection, separated at 28 kV, and monitored at 214 nm. We identified the transferrin isoforms by migration times, treatment with 100 U/L neuraminidase, and immunosubtraction with anti-human transferrin and anti-C-reactive protein antibodies. We compared CZE results with current biological markers of alcohol abuse, including the %CDT turbidimetric immunoassay.

Results: Migration times of the isoforms were identical in both populations. Asialotransferrin was missing in teetotalers but present in 92% of alcohol abusers. Disialotransferrin was higher in those who consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, whereas mean trisialotransferrin concentration was not affected by alcohol abuse. At cutoffs to maximize sensitivity and specificity, these values were 0.92 and 1 [mean ROC area (MRa), 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.93–0.99] for asialotransferrin; 0.84 and 0.94 for the sum of asialo- + disialotransferrin (MRa, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.91–0.98); 0.79 and 0.94 for disialotransferrin (MRa, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84–0.94); 0.62 and 0.53 for trisialotransferrin (MRa, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.49–0.68); 0.79 and 0.82 for a 3% %CDT; and 0.83 and 0.69 for a 2.6% cutoff (MRa, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81–0.92). Current markers lack sensitivity (&lt;0.65). Transferrins were not significantly correlated with serum enzymes and mean erythrocyte volume.

Conclusions: CZE-isolated desialylated transferrin isoforms allowed differentiation between chronic alcohol abusers and teetotalers.

Ethanol impairs monosaccharide uptake and glycosylation in cultured rat astrocytes

Astrocyte and glial-neuron interactions have a critical role in brain development, which is partially mediated by glycoproteins, including adhesion molecules and growth factors. Ethanol affects the synthesis, intracellular transport, subcellular distribution and secretion of these glycoproteins, suggesting alterations in glycosylation. We analyzed the effect of long-term exposure to low doses of ethanol (30 mm) on glycosylation process in growing cultured astrocytes in vitro. Cells were incubated for short (5 min) and long (90 min) periods with several radioactively labeled carbohydrate precursors. The uptake, kinetics and metabolism of these precursors, as well as the radioactivity distribution in protein gels were analyzed. The levels of GLUT1 and mannosidase II were also determined. Ethanol increased the uptake of monosaccharides and the protein levels of GLUT1 but decreased those of mannosidase II. It altered the carbohydrate moiety of proteins and increased cell surface glycoproteins containing terminal non-reduced mannose. These results indicate that ethanol impairs glycosylation in rat astrocytes, thus disrupting brain development.

Effect of alcohol on lipids and lipoproteins in relation to atherosclerosis

Several studies indicate that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a low prevalence of coronary heart disease. An increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is associated with alcohol intake and appears to account for approximately half of alcohol's cardioprotective effect. In addition to changes in the concentration and composition of lipoproteins, alcohol consumption may alter the activities of plasma proteins and enzymes involved in lipoprotein metabolism: cholesteryl ester transfer protein, phospholipid transfer protein, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, paraoxonase-1 and phospholipases. Alcohol intake also results in modifications of lipoprotein particles: low sialic acid content in apolipoprotein components of lipoprotein particles (e.g., HDL apo E and apo J) and acetaldehyde modification of apolipoproteins. In addition, "abnormal" lipids, phosphatidylethanol, and fatty acid ethyl esters formed in the presence of ethanol are associated with lipoproteins in plasma. The effects of lipoproteins on the vascular wall cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and monocyte/macrophages) may be modulated by ethanol and the alterations further enhanced by modified lipids. The present review discusses the effects of alcohol on lipoproteins in cholesterol transport, as well as the novel effects of lipoproteins on vascular wall cells.

Usefulness of microheterogeneity of serum alpha 1-acidglycoprotein as a marker for alcohol abuse

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is considered to be the most sensitive and specific biological marker of alcohol abuse. However, in alcohol-dependent individuals, microheterogeneity is also found in other glycoproteins besides transferrin. In this study, we compared the appearance of microheterogeneity in serum transferrin and alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein to clarify whether microheterogeneity of alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein is a marker for alcohol abuse. Serum samples were obtained from alcohol-dependent individuals with and without liver disease (LD) and non-alcohol-dependent patients with LD. Microheterogeneity of serum transferrin and alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein was determined by Western blotting. Microheterogeneity of transferrin and alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein was detected, respectively, in 63.2% and 58.5% of patients with alcoholic LD. Microheterogeneity of transferrin was not detected in alcohol-dependent individuals without LD, whereas microheterogeneity of alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein was detected in 42.9%. In non-alcohol-dependent patients with decompensated cirrhosis, microheterogeneity of transferrin and alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein was detected, respectively, in 68.4% and 15.8%. In conclusion, microheterogeneity of serum alpha(1)-acidglycoprotein may be a useful marker for chronic alcohol drinking.

Carbohydrate-deficient Transferrin as a Marker of Chronic Alcohol Abuse: A Critical Review of Preanalysis, Analysis, and Interpretation

Background: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is used for diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse. Some 200–300 reports on CDT have been published in impact factor-listed journals. The aims of this review were to condense the current knowledge and to resolve remaining issues on CDT.

Approach: The literature (1976–2000) was searched using MEDLINE and Knowledge Server with “alcohol and CDT” as the search items. The data were reviewed systematically, checked for redundancy, and organized in sequence based on the steps involved in CDT analysis.

Content: The review is divided into sections based on microheterogeneity of human serum transferrin (Tf), definition of CDT, structure of human serum CDT, pathomechanisms of ethanol-induced CDT increase, preanalysis, analysis, and medical interpretation (postanalysis). Test-specific cutoff values for serum CDT and causes of false positives and negatives for chronic alcohol abuse are discussed and summarized.

Summary: Asialo- and disialo-Fe2-Tf, which lack one or two complete N-glycans, and monosialo-Fe2-Tf (structure remains unclear) are collectively referred to as CDT. Diminished mRNA concentration and glycoprotein glycosyltransferase activities involved in Tf N-glycan synthesis and increased sialidase activity most likely account for alcohol-induced increases in CDT. Knowledge about in vivo and in vitro effects on serum CDT is poor. Reliable CDT and non-CDT fractionation is needed for CDT measurement. Analysis methods with different analytical specificities and recoveries decreased the comparability of values and statistical parameters of the diagnostic efficiency of CDT. CDT is the most specific marker of chronic alcohol abuse to date. Efforts should concentrate on the pathomechanisms (in vivo), preanalysis, and standardization of CDT analysis.