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Genetic Polymorphism of the Alcohol Metabolising Enzymes as a Basis for Alcoholic Liver Disease
Author(s) -
GRANT DAVID A. W.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0952-0481
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1988.tb03036.x
Subject(s) - aldehyde dehydrogenase , aldh2 , alcohol dehydrogenase , isozyme , acetaldehyde , gene , ethanol metabolism , allele , genetics , adh1b , biology , alcohol , polymorphism (computer science) , alcoholic liver disease , phenotype , enzyme , ethanol , biochemistry , medicine , dehydrogenase , branched chain alpha keto acid dehydrogenase complex , cirrhosis
Summary There are five separate genes for alcohol dehydrogenase in man. Three of these genes code for isoenzymes which have the correct catalytic properties to suggest that they are predominantly involved in alcohol metabolism in the liver. These are the so‐called class I genes. Two of the class I genes also contain alleles which are expressed with variable frequency by different ethnic groups. This genetic polymorphism is reflected in some enzyme phenotypes which have a greater reactivity toward ethanol than others. Thus genetic and biochemical diversity both within and between different populations may be the basis for the unique individual response to alcohol and vulnerability to alcoholism. There are four separate genes for aldehyde dehydrogenase in man. Only two of the isoenzymes are likely to metabolize acetaldehyde in the liver. An inherited deficiency in one of these isoenzymes is the cause of acute alcohol sensitivity symptoms (the flushing response) in Orientals. The aversive reactions to alcohol in individuals with this deficiency may be a deterrent to alcoholism.