Document Detail


Microtubules are more stable and more highly acetylated in ethanol-treated hepatic cells.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16169115     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to serious liver disease. Although the disease progression is clinically well-described, the molecular basis for alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity is not understood. METHODS: We examined hepatocyte-specific, alcohol-induced alterations in microtubule dynamics in WIF-B cells. These cells provide an excellent model for studying alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity; they remain differentiated in culture and metabolize alcohol. RESULTS: Consistent with reports in other hepatic systems, microtubule polymerization in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells was impaired. However, when viewed by epifluorescence, the microtubules in ethanol-treated cells resembled stable polymers. Antibodies to acetylated alpha-tubulin confirmed their identity morphologically and revealed biochemically that ethanol-treated cells had approximately three-fold more acetylated alpha-tubulin than control cells. Livers from ethanol-fed rats also contained increased levels of acetylated alpha-tubulin. Consistent with increased acetylated alpha-tubulin levels, microtubules in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells were more stable. Because stability increased with increased time of ethanol exposure or concentration, was prevented by 4-methylpyrazole and was potentiated by cyanamide, we conclude that increased acetylation requires alcohol metabolism and is likely to be mediated by acetaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol metabolism impairs tubulin polymerization, but once microtubules are formed they are hyperstabilized. These ethanol-induced alterations in microtubule integrity likely have profound effects on hepatocyte function.
Authors:
George T Kannarkat; Dean J Tuma; Pamela L Tuma
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2005-07-27
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of hepatology     Volume:  44     ISSN:  0168-8278     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Hepatol.     Publication Date:  2006 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-04-17     Completed Date:  2006-09-27     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8503886     Medline TA:  J Hepatol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  963-70     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetaldehyde / metabolism
Acetylation / drug effects
Animals
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Cell Line, Tumor
Central Nervous System Depressants / pharmacokinetics,  toxicity*
Ethanol / pharmacokinetics,  toxicity*
Hepatocytes / cytology,  drug effects*,  metabolism
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / metabolism,  pathology*
Liver Neoplasms
Microtubules / drug effects*,  metabolism
Polymers / metabolism
Rats
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Central Nervous System Depressants; 0/Polymers; 64-17-5/Ethanol; 75-07-0/Acetaldehyde

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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