Genetic basis for the polymorphism of rat liver cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase

Liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme involved in the oxidation of aldehydes such as acetaldehyde derived from ethanol, exists in multiple forms in most mammals. Up to five separable forms have been identified from the cytosolic fraction of Wistar rat liver. We investigated genetic basis o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical genetics 1981-12, Vol.19 (11-12), p.1275-1282
Main Authors: Truesdale-Mahoney, N, Doolittle, D P, Weiner, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase
Aldehyde Oxidoreductases - genetics
Alleles
Animals
Cytosol - enzymology
Female
Isoelectric Point
Liver - enzymology
Liver - ultrastructure
Male
Polymorphism, Genetic
Rats
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Summary:Liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme involved in the oxidation of aldehydes such as acetaldehyde derived from ethanol, exists in multiple forms in most mammals. Up to five separable forms have been identified from the cytosolic fraction of Wistar rat liver. We investigated genetic basis of a particular set of three enzyme forms by selective breeding and analysis of electrophoretic patterns of liver ALDH by isoelectric focusing. The forms of liver ALDH investigated were at pI 5.8 or 6.2 or a triple form with enzymes at pI 5.8, 6.0, and 6.2. There are two alleles found at the ALDH locus which encode in homozygotes for one of two electrophoretically separable ALDH forms. A rat heterozygous at the locus forms both ALDH types plus a hybrid. The alleles are expressed codominantly, found at an autosomal locus, and remain constant postpartum. The activities associated with the triplet enzyme form were statistically indistinguishable from a 1:2:1 ratio. This suggests that the enzymes hybridize to form a set of dimers or tetramers of the form A2, AB, B2, or A4, A2B2, B4, respectively.
ISSN:0006-2928
1573-4927
DOI:10.1007/BF00484579