Event: DUCoM Discovery Day 2013
Title: Requirement of alcohol dehydrogenase-related genes for preventing DNA damage
Type of Presentation: Poster
Abstract:
Acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of alcohol, plays a major role in alcohol-related esophageal cancer. Acetaldehyde is a possible carcinogen because it crosslinks proteins with DNA and disrupts the DNA replication process, causing DNA damage and genomic instability. In addition, acetaldehyde is also responsible for causing the symptoms of a “hangover.” Alcohol consumption leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body. Humans possess genes specialized for the detoxification of this harmful chemical into harmless acetic acid (vinegar). However, approximately fifty percent of the East Asian population has a variant of the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALDH2, and is unable to efficiently metabolize acetaldehyde to acetic acid. The result is an “alcohol flush reaction,” or reddening of the face due to capillary dilation, as well as increased risks of esophageal and intestinal cancers. Using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism, we have characterized genes crucial for the dehydration of alcohol-related substances. Serial dilution growth assays were conducted to assess alcohol or aldehyde sensitivity of different alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase mutants. Work is ongoing to further investigate how these mutations affect cellular processes related to genome maintenance mechanisms, including DNA protection, DNA repair, and cell cycle checkpoint control.
Title: Requirement of alcohol dehydrogenase-related genes for preventing DNA damage
Type of Presentation: Poster
Abstract:
Acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of alcohol, plays a major role in alcohol-related esophageal cancer. Acetaldehyde is a possible carcinogen because it crosslinks proteins with DNA and disrupts the DNA replication process, causing DNA damage and genomic instability. In addition, acetaldehyde is also responsible for causing the symptoms of a “hangover.” Alcohol consumption leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body. Humans possess genes specialized for the detoxification of this harmful chemical into harmless acetic acid (vinegar). However, approximately fifty percent of the East Asian population has a variant of the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALDH2, and is unable to efficiently metabolize acetaldehyde to acetic acid. The result is an “alcohol flush reaction,” or reddening of the face due to capillary dilation, as well as increased risks of esophageal and intestinal cancers. Using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism, we have characterized genes crucial for the dehydration of alcohol-related substances. Serial dilution growth assays were conducted to assess alcohol or aldehyde sensitivity of different alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase mutants. Work is ongoing to further investigate how these mutations affect cellular processes related to genome maintenance mechanisms, including DNA protection, DNA repair, and cell cycle checkpoint control.