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Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (Ahd-2)-associated DNA polymorphisms in mouse strains with variable ethanol preferences
S L Bond1, M R Wigle, S M Singh
1Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Genetic variations in mouse DNA impact alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) gene expression. These differences in ALDH-2 DNA patterns correlate with alcohol preference or avoidance in different mouse strains.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Ethanol consumption elicits genotype-dependent responses in mice.
- Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) levels and its mRNA (Ahd-2 mRNA) exhibit strain-specific alterations following ethanol administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in the Alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) gene at the genomic DNA level across different mouse strains.
- To identify potential genetic markers associated with ethanol preference or avoidance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the Ahd-2 locus using restriction enzymes EcoRI, HindIII, Pst I, and Rsa I.
- Categorization of mouse strains into two distinct groups based on Ahd-2 DNA banding patterns.
Main Results:
- Two distinct groups of mouse strains were identified based on Ahd-2 associated DNA banding patterns.
- Group 1 (C57BL/6J, C57BL/6J*, C57BL/10J, BALB/c) and Group 2 (C3H/HeJ, C3H/HeSnJ, 129/ReJ, Csb, SW, DBA/2J) showed different RFLP profiles.
- Group 1 strains, except BALB/c, are typically alcohol-preferring, while Group 2 strains are alcohol-avoiding.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in Ahd-2 genomic DNA patterns exist among mouse strains.
- These RFLPs may be linked to the observed variations in ethanol preference and avoidance behaviors.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the physiological significance of these genetic variations in ethanol response.