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Association of ALDH1 Promoter Polymorphisms With Alcohol‐Related Phenotypes in Southwest California Indians
Author(s) -
Ehlers Cindy L.,
Spence John P.,
Wall Tamara L.,
Gilder David A.,
Carr Lucinda G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1097/01.alc.0000141821.06062.20
Subject(s) - aldehyde dehydrogenase , allele , alcohol dehydrogenase , medicine , aldh2 , genotype , alcohol , demography , genetics , biology , gene , biochemistry , sociology
Background: Cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1A1) is an important enzyme in the metabolism of acetaldehyde and the synthesis of retinoic acid. Two polymorphisms in the promoter region of ALDH1A1 — ALDH1A1*2 and ALDH1A1*3 —have recently been identified and described in small samples of Asian, Caucasian, and African individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these polymorphisms in a sample of Southwest California Indians and to test for associations with alcohol dependence and other substance‐related behaviors. Methods: The participants in this study were 463 adult men and women recruited from 8 contiguous Indian reservations. A structured interview was used to gather information on demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, and personal drinking and drug use history. A blood sample was obtained from each participant, and leukocyte DNA was extracted and used to genotype for the presence of the ALDH1A1 promoter polymorphisms. Results: Twenty‐seven participants (6%) possessed ALDH1A1*2 (frequency, 0.03), two participants possessed ALDH1A1*3 , and one participant displayed both of these alleles. Individuals with an ALDH1A1*2 allele had lower rates of alcohol dependence and regular tobacco use than those without this allele. Individuals with ALDH1A1*2 also reported a significantly lower maximum number of drinks ever consumed in a 24‐hr period, reported drinking fewer drinks per occasion when they first started drinking regularly, and reported lower expectations of alcohol's effects compared with individuals without this allele. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that ALDH1A1*2 may be associated with protection from the development of alcohol and other substance use disorders.