Aldehyde-Induced DNA and Protein Adducts as Biomarker Tools for Alcohol Use Disorder

Trends Mol Med. 2018 Feb;24(2):144-155. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.12.003.

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) screening frequently involves questionnaires complemented by laboratory work to monitor alcohol use and/or evaluate AUD-associated complications. Here we suggest that measuring aldehyde-induced DNA and protein adducts produced during alcohol metabolism may lead to earlier detection of AUD and AUD-associated complications compared with existing biomarkers. Use of aldehyde-induced adducts to monitor AUD may also be important when considering that approximately 540 million people bear a genetic variant of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) predisposing this population to aldehyde-induced toxicity with alcohol use. We posit that measuring aldehyde-induced adducts may provide a means to improve precision medicine approaches, taking into account lifestyle choices and genetics to evaluate AUD and AUD-associated complications.

Keywords: 4-hydroxynonenal; ALDH2; ALDH2*2; acetaldehyde; alcohol; alcohol use disorder; biomarker; reactive aldehydes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / diagnosis*
  • Alcoholism / etiology
  • Alcoholism / genetics
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Aldehydes / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • DNA Adducts / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Mutation*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Biomarkers
  • DNA Adducts
  • ALDH2 protein, human
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial