Characterization of fathead minnow and frog aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) with regard to their role in metabolism of ethylene glycol ethers

CHED 975

Tsering Yanjon, yats0501@stcloudstate.edu1, Ian Penniston1, Aaron Piotrowski1, David Petersen1, Timothy Schuh, tjschuh@stcloudstate.edu2, Heiko Schoenfuss, hschoenfuss@stcloudstate.edu2, and Lakshmaiah Sreerama, lsreerama@stcloudstate.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry, St Cloud State University, 720 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, (2) Department of Biological Sciences, St Cloud State University, 720 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, (3) Department of Chemistry, St. Cloud State University, 720 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301
Ethylene glycol ether (EGE) metabolism in mammals has been shown to parallel ethanol metabolism. ALDHs catalyze the oxidation of EGE aldehydes to their corresponding acids, which is believed to be the rate determining step in EGE metabolism, and the acid metabolite is toxic to mammals. EGE related toxicities in mammals include carcinogenesis and metabolic acidosis. EGEs are common solvents in industrial and household products and are discharged into waterways at relatively large concentrations. Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promela) and Frogs (Xenopus laevis) are the first aquatic animals expected to encounter EGEs and their effect on these animals is not known. Metabolism of EGEs in these aquatic models is expected to be similar to mammals. In this regard, we have determined the presence of ALDH isozymes in various (a) tissues of Pimephales promela and (b) developmental stages of Xenopus laevis using EGE aldehydes as substrates. These ALDHs are now being identified immunologically.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007