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Showing papers on "Aldehyde dehydrogenase published in 2019"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Mounting evidence suggests that ALDH not only may be used as a marker for stem cells but also may well regulate cellular functions related to self-renewal, expansion, differentiation, and resistance to drugs and radiation.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is a superfamily of enzymes that detoxify a variety of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes and are required for the biosynthesis of retinoic acid (RA) and other molecular regulators of cellular function. Over the past decade, high ALDH activity has been increasingly used as a selectable marker for normal cell populations enriched in stem and progenitor cells, as well as for cell populations from cancer tissues enriched in tumor-initiating stem-like cells. Mounting evidence suggests that ALDH not only may be used as a marker for stem cells but also may well regulate cellular functions related to self-renewal, expansion, differentiation, and resistance to drugs and radiation. ALDH exerts its functional actions partly through RA biosynthesis, as all-trans RA reverses the functional effects of pharmacological inhibition or genetic suppression of ALDH activity in many cell types in vitro. There is substantial evidence to suggest that the role of ALDH as a stem cell marker comes down to the specific isoform(s) expressed in a particular tissue. Much emphasis has been placed on the ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 members of the ALDH1 family of cytosolic enzymes required for RA biosynthesis. ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 regulate cellular function in both normal stem cells and tumor-initiating stem-like cells, promoting tumor growth and resistance to drugs and radiation. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which ALDH regulates cellular function will likely open new avenues in many fields, especially in tissue regeneration and oncology.

204 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review gives an account of aldehydes; their source, toxicity and metabolism, different aldehyde metabolizing enzymes with special emphasis on ALDHs including their biochemical, physiological and pathophysiological roles in the body.
Abstract: Aldehydes are carbonyl compounds found ubiquitously in the environment, derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources. As the aldehydes are reactive species, therefore, they are generally toxic to the body. To reduce the toxicity and pathogenesis related to aldehydes, the human body contains several aldehyde metabolizing enzyme systems including aldehyde oxidases, cytochrome P450 enzymes, aldo-ketoreductases, alcohol dehydrogenases, short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs). These enzyme systems maintain a low level of aldehydes in the body by catalytically converting them into less-harmful and easily excreted products. The human ALDH (hALDH) superfamily consists of 20 functional ALDH genes identified so far at distinct chromosomal locations, expressing 20 ALDH proteins, which belong to 11 different ALDH families. They are involved in the NAD(P)+-dependent oxidation of a wide range of exogenous and endogenous aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids. The hALDHs are present in all sub-cellular locations and have a wide tissue distribution. This review gives an account of aldehydes; their source, toxicity and metabolism, different aldehyde metabolizing enzymes with special emphasis on ALDHs including their biochemical, physiological and pathophysiological roles in the body.

103 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The controversy of ALDH activity to maintain CSC stemness, or conversely, to promote cell differentiation, is discussed, and the advances in using ALDH inhibitors as an anti-cancer drugs are reviewed.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is an enzyme that participates in important cellular mechanisms as aldehyde detoxification and retinoic acid synthesis; moreover, ALDH activity is involved in drug resistance, a characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Even though ALDH is found in stem cells, CSCs and progenitor cells, this enzyme has been successfully used to identify and isolate cell populations with CSC properties from several tumor origins. ALDH is allegedly involved in cell differentiation through its product, retinoic acid. However, direct or indirect ALDH inhibition, using specific inhibitors or retinoic acid, has shown a reduction in ALDH activity, along with the loss of stem cell traits, reduction of cell proliferation, invasion, and drug sensitization. For these reasons, ALDH and retinoic acid are promising therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the current evidence for ALDH as a CSCs marker in solid tumors, as well as current knowledge about the functional roles of ALDH in CSCs. We discuss the controversy of ALDH activity to maintain CSC stemness, or conversely, to promote cell differentiation. Finally, we review the advances in using ALDH inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs.

79 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
07 Aug 2019-Oncogene
TL;DR: It is shown that DSF does not directly inhibit ALDH activity in diverse human cell types, while DSF’s in vivo metabolite, S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate-sulfoxide inhibits AL DH activity yet does not impair cancer cell viability, clarifying the confusing literature about the anti-cancer mechanism of DSF.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is a proposed biomarker and possible target to eradicate cancer stem cells. ALDH inhibition as a treatment approach is supported by anti-cancer effects of the alcohol-abuse drug disulfiram (DSF, Antabuse). Given that metabolic products of DSF, rather than DSF itself inhibit ALDH in vivo, and that DSF’s anti-cancer activity is potentiated by copper led us to investigate the relevance of ALDH as the suggested molecular cancer-relevant target of DSF. Here we show that DSF does not directly inhibit ALDH activity in diverse human cell types, while DSF’s in vivo metabolite, S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate-sulfoxide inhibits ALDH activity yet does not impair cancer cell viability. Our data indicate that the anti-cancer activity of DSF does not involve ALDH inhibition, and rather reflects the impact of DSF’s copper-containing metabolite (CuET), that forms spontaneously in vivo and in cell culture media, and kills cells through aggregation of NPL4, a subunit of the p97/VCP segregase. We also show that the CuET-mediated, rather than any ALDH-inhibitory activity of DSF underlies the preferential cytotoxicity of DSF towards BRCA1- and BRCA2-deficient cells. These findings provide evidence clarifying the confusing literature about the anti-cancer mechanism of DSF, a drug currently tested in clinical trials for repositioning in oncology.

64 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A detailed elucidation of the functions for each active ALDH isoform in CSCs is necessary and important for a profound understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ALDH-associated stemness, and demonstrates that nine isoforms are active in ALDEFLUOR assay.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) defend intracellular homeostasis by catalyzing the conversion of toxic aldehydes into non-toxic carboxylic acids, which is of particular importance to the self-renewal of stem cells and cancer stem cells. The widely used ALDEFLUOR assay was initially designed to indicate the activity of ALDH1A1 in leukemia and has been demonstrated to detect the enzyme activity of several other ALDH isoforms in various cancer types in recent years. However, it is still elusive which isoforms, among the 19 ALDH isoforms in human genome, are the potential contributors in catalyzing ALDEFLUOR assay in different cancers. In the current study, we performed a screening via overexpressing each ALDH isoform to assess their ability of catalyzing ALDEFLUOR assay. Our results demonstrate that nine isoforms are active in ALDEFLUOR assay, whose overexpression significantly increases ALDH-positive (ALDH+) population. Further analysis of the expression of these active isoforms in various cancers reveals cancer-type specific expression patterns, suggesting that different cancer types may exhibit ALDEFLUOR activity through expression of specific active ALDH isoforms. This study strongly indicates that a detailed elucidation of the functions for each active ALDH isoform in CSCs is necessary and important for a profound understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ALDH-associated stemness.

60 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, quantitative gene expression data were collected during bacterial growth and an increased mRNA level is usually linked with higher rate of metabolism related to biodegradation of an unusual compound.
Abstract: During bacterial growth an increased mRNA level is usually linked with higher rate of metabolism related to biodegradation of an unusual compound. In this study, quantitative gene expression data d...

60 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of ALDH in cancer and therapy resistance is discussed, and the various available ALDH inhibitors are overviewed with a focus on the clinical potential and limitations of these agents as cancer therapeutics.

56 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A three-dimensional cell cultivation method of endometrioid cancer stem-like cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity from clinical specimens indicated that ALDH-dependent GLUT1 activation and the resulting glycolytic activation are of clinical importance for both prognostic evaluation and therapeutic decision-making in endometrial cancer patients.
Abstract: Uterine endometrial cancer is associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with advanced-stage disease. Here, we developed a three-dimensional cell cultivation method of endometrioid cancer stem-like cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity from clinical specimens. ALDH inhibition synergized with paclitaxel to block cancer proliferation. In the clinical setting, high ALDH1A1 expression was associated with poor survival. A high level of ALDH correlated with an increase of glucose uptake, activation of the glycolytic pathway, and elevation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Blockade of GLUT1 inhibited characteristics of cancer stem cells. Similarly to ALDH inhibition, GLUT1 inhibition synergized with paclitaxel to block endometrial cancer proliferation. Our data indicated that ALDH-dependent GLUT1 activation and the resulting glycolytic activation are of clinical importance for both prognostic evaluation and therapeutic decision-making in endometrial cancer patients. In addition, the synergistic effects of taxane compounds and ALDH or GLUT1 inhibitors may serve as a new clinical treatment option for endometrial cancer.

52 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings provide evidence that DSF might be employed as a novel adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in combination with cisplatin for treatment of ovarian cancer.

41 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Increased 4-hydroxynonenal level plays a critical role in the development of HPH, suggesting ALDH2 as a potential new therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension.
Abstract: Objective: Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) increases lipid peroxidation with generation of toxic aldehydes that are metabolized by detoxifying enzymes, including ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydr...

38 citations


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The environmental sources of reactive aldehydes and the potential health implications particularly for those with an ALDH2*2 genetic variant are discussed and the safety limits of reactiveAldehyde exposure may have to be reevaluated.
Abstract: Aldehydes, which are present within the air as well as food and beverage sources, are highly reactive molecules that can be cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. To prevent harm from reactive aldehyde exposure, the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) metabolizes reactive aldehydes to a less toxic form. However, the genetic variant of ALDH2, ALDH2*2, significantly reduces the ability to metabolize reactive aldehydes in humans. Therefore, frequent environmental aldehyde exposure, coupled with inefficient aldehyde metabolism, could potentially lead to an increased health risk for diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inhibition of ALDH could potentially augment the immune response to tumor antigens by inhibiting Treg induction, function and ability to promote immune tolerance to tumor cells in multiple cancer types.
Abstract: The role of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in carcinogenesis and resistance to cancer therapies is well known. Mounting evidence also suggests a potentially important role for ALDH in the induction and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Treg cells are important cells of the immune system involved in promoting immune tolerance and preventing aberrant immune responses to beneficial or non-harmful antigens. However, Treg cells also impair tumor immunity, leading to the progression of various carcinomas. ALDH expression and the subsequent production of retinoic acid by numerous cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, eosinophils and epithelial cells, seems important in Treg induction and function in multiple organ systems. This is particularly evident in the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary tract and skin, which are exposed to a myriad of environmental antigens and represent interfaces between the human body and the outside world. Expression of ALDH in Treg cells themselves may also be involved in the proliferation of these cells and resistance to certain cytotoxic therapies. Hence, inhibition of ALDH expression may be useful to treat cancer. Besides the direct effect of ALDH inhibition on carcinogenesis and resistance to cancer therapies, inhibition of ALDH could potentially augment the immune response to tumor antigens by inhibiting Treg induction, function and ability to promote immune tolerance to tumor cells in multiple cancer types.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present study shows that, although the liver ALDH2 only partially contributes to acetaldehyde clearance, genetic deletion or knockdown of the liver Aldh2 decreases excessive but not light to moderate alcohol drinking, and suggests that liver-specific AL DH2 inhibition may be an effective strategy for the treatment of alcohol user disorder with excessive drinking.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), a key enzyme for detoxification the ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde, is recognized as a promising therapeutic target to treat alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Disulfiram, a potent ALDH2 inhibitor, is an approved drug for the treatment of AUD but has clinical limitations due to its side effects. This study aims to elucidate the relative contribution of different organs in acetaldehyde clearance through ALDH2 by using global- (Aldh2−/−) and tissue-specific Aldh2-deficient mice, and to examine whether liver-specific ALDH2 inhibition can prevent alcohol-seeking behavior. Aldh2−/− mice showed markedly higher acetaldehyde concentrations than wild-type (WT) mice after acute ethanol gavage. Acetaldehyde levels in hepatocyte-specific Aldh2 knockout (Aldh2Hep−/−) mice were significantly higher than those in WT mice post gavage, but did not reach the levels observed in Aldh2−/− mice. Energy expenditure and motility were dramatically dampened in Aldh2−/− mice, but moderately decreased in Aldh2Hep−/− mice compared to controls. In the 2-bottle paradigm and the drinking-in-the-dark model, Aldh2−/− mice drank negligible volumes from ethanol-containing bottles, whereas Aldh2Hep−/− mice showed reduced alcohol preference at high but not low alcohol concentrations. Glial cell- or neuron-specific Aldh2 deficiency did not affect voluntary alcohol consumption. Finally, specific liver Aldh2 knockdown via injection of shAldh2 markedly decreased alcohol preference. In conclusion, although the liver is the major organ responsible for acetaldehyde metabolism, a cumulative effect of ALDH2 from other organs likely also contributes to systemic acetaldehyde clearance. Liver-targeted ALDH2 inhibition can decrease heavy drinking without affecting moderate drinking, providing molecular basis for hepatic ALDH2 targeting/editing for the treatment of AUD.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors showed that fibroblasts derived from AD patients harboring ApoE e4 allele exhibited increased aldehydic load, oxidative stress, and increased mitochondrial dysfunction relative to healthy subjects and exposure to ethanol exacerbated these dysfunctions.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 deficiency (ALDH2*2) causes facial flushing in response to alcohol consumption in approximately 560 million East Asians. Recent meta-analysis demonstrated the potential link between ALDH2*2 mutation and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Other studies have linked chronic alcohol consumption as a risk factor for AD. In the present study, we show that fibroblasts of an AD patient that also has an ALDH2*2 mutation or overexpression of ALDH2*2 in fibroblasts derived from AD patients harboring ApoE e4 allele exhibited increased aldehydic load, oxidative stress, and increased mitochondrial dysfunction relative to healthy subjects and exposure to ethanol exacerbated these dysfunctions. In an in vivo model, daily exposure of WT mice to ethanol for 11 weeks resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and increased aldehyde levels in their brains and these pathologies were greater in ALDH2*2/*2 (homozygous) mice. Following chronic ethanol exposure, the levels of the AD-associated protein, amyloid-β, and neuroinflammation were higher in the brains of the ALDH2*2/*2 mice relative to WT. Cultured primary cortical neurons of ALDH2*2/*2 mice showed increased sensitivity to ethanol and there was a greater activation of their primary astrocytes relative to the responses of neurons or astrocytes from the WT mice. Importantly, an activator of ALDH2 and ALDH2*2, Alda-1, blunted the ethanol-induced increases in Aβ, and the neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo. These data indicate that impairment in the metabolism of aldehydes, and specifically ethanol-derived acetaldehyde, is a contributor to AD associated pathology and highlights the likely risk of alcohol consumption in the general population and especially in East Asians that carry ALDH2*2 mutation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of ALDH2 polymorphism in disease, aging and alcohol addiction and its pharmacological targeting are examined and its future potential role for the clinic is established.
Abstract: Introduction: Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) is a main contributor of the alcohol elimination process. Functional polymorphism in the ALDH2 gene and its inactive form causes unpleasant flushing responses after alcohol consumption and prevents excessive alcohol intake. ALDH2 plays a key role in removing endogenous aldehydes like 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) produced by lipid peroxidation triggered by oxidative stress. Additionally, ALDH2 is involved in the elimination of metabolites of neurotransmitters like 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycoaldehyde (DOPGAL) in the central nervous system (CNS).Areas covered: We examine the role of ALDH2 polymorphism in disease, aging and alcohol addiction and discuss its pharmacological targeting. Case-control studies indicate that the deficiency of ALDH2 activity influences the risk of numerous diseases while animal models show that ALDH2 activator Alda-1, could reduce cardiac ischemic damage. Moreover, many studies have reported the protective effect of Alda-1 against the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The literature search was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane Library up to August 2019.Expert opinion: ALDH2 is a promising therapeutic target in numerous diseases. The targeting of ALDH2 has much potential but requires further investigations and analysis to explore and establish its future potential role for the clinic.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The 3.5 Å cryo-EM structure of full-length E. coli AdhE is presented, which reveals a right-handed helical spirosome structure and it is suggested that the high-order helical structure regulates its enzymatic activity.
Abstract: Aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhE) is a key enzyme in bacterial fermentation, converting acetyl-CoA to ethanol, via two consecutive catalytic reactions. Here, we present a 3.5 A resolution cryo-EM structure of full-length AdhE revealing a high-order spirosome architecture. The structure shows that the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) active sites reside at the outer surface and the inner surface of the spirosome respectively, thus topologically separating these two activities. Furthermore, mutations disrupting the helical structure abrogate enzymatic activity, implying that formation of the spirosome structure is critical for AdhE activity. In addition, we show that this spirosome structure undergoes conformational change in the presence of cofactors. This work presents the atomic resolution structure of AdhE and suggests that the high-order helical structure regulates its enzymatic activity.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The function of ALDH2 in various pathological conditions of the heart in relation to aldehyde toxicity is reviewed and the importance and clinical implications of interaction between AL DH2 deficiency and alcohol drinking on cardiovascular disease among the East Asians are highlighted.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a non-cytochrome P450 mitochondrial aldehyde oxidizing enzyme. It is best known for its role in the metabolism of acetaldehyde, a common metabolite from alcohol drinking. More evidences have been accumulated in recent years to indicate a greater role of ALDH2 in the metabolism of other endogenous and exogenous aldehydes, especially lipid peroxidation-derived reactive aldehyde under oxidative stress. Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with oxidative stress and mitochondria dysfunction. Considering that an estimated 560 million East Asians carry a common ALDH2 deficient variant which causes the well-known alcohol flushing syndrome due to acetaldehyde accumulation, the importance of understanding the role of ALDH2 in these diseases should be highlighted. There are several unfavorable cardiovascular conditions that are associated with ALDH2 deficiency. This chapter reviews the function of ALDH2 in various pathological conditions of the heart in relation to aldehyde toxicity. It also highlights the importance and clinical implications of interaction between ALDH2 deficiency and alcohol drinking on cardiovascular disease among the East Asians.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings support the antitumor effect of citral in targeting ALDH+ cells and tumor recurrence in breast cancer cells.
Abstract: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females globally. The tumorigenic activities of cancer cells such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and differentiation have contributed to relapse and eventual mortality in breast cancer. Thus, current drug discovery research is focused on targeting breast cancer cells with ALDH activity and their capacity to form secondary tumors. Citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal), from lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates), has been previously reported to have a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo effect of citral in targeting ALDH activity of breast cancer cells. BALB/c mice were challenged with 4T1 breast cancer cells followed by daily oral feeding of 50 mg/kg citral or distilled water for two weeks. The population of ALDH+ tumor cells and their capacity to form secondary tumors in both untreated and citral treated 4T1 challenged mice were assessed by Aldefluor assay and tumor growth upon cell reimplantation in normal mice, respectively. Citral treatment reduced the size and number of cells with ALDH+ activity of the tumors in 4T1-challenged BALB/c mice. Moreover, citral-treated mice were also observed with smaller tumor size and delayed tumorigenicity after reimplantation of the primary tumor cells into normal mice. These findings support the antitumor effect of citral in targeting ALDH+ cells and tumor recurrence in breast cancer cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Understanding the mechanisms by which these enzymes participate in diverse cellular processes may lead to better contend with the damage caused by toxic aldehydes in different pathologies by designing modulators and/or protocols to modify their activity or expression.
Abstract: Many different diseases are associated with oxidative stress. One of the main consequences of oxidative stress at the cellular level is lipid peroxidation, from which toxic aldehydes may be generated. Below their toxicity thresholds, some aldehydes are involved in signaling processes, while others are intermediaries in the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, neurotransmitters, and carbohydrates. Some aldehydes ubiquitously distributed in the environment, such as acrolein or formaldehyde, are extremely toxic to the cell. On the other hand, aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are able to detoxify a wide variety of aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids, thus helping to protect from oxidative stress. ALDHs are located in different subcellular compartments such as cytosol, mitochondria, nucleus, and endoplasmic reticulum. The aim of this review is to analyze, and highlight, the role of different ALDH isoforms in the detoxification of aldehydes generated in processes that involve high levels of oxidative...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that Nanog signaling induces tumor cell radioresistance and stimulates ALDH activity, most likely through activation of the Notch1 and Akt pathways.
Abstract: Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as the major cause of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. Evidence from experimental studies applying both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models suggests that CSCs survive after conventional therapy protocols. Several mechanisms are proposed to be involved in CSC resistance to radiotherapy. Among them, stimulated DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair capacity in association with aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity seems to be the most prominent mechanism. However, thus far, the pathway through which ALDH activity stimulates DSB repair is not known. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the underlying signaling pathway by which ALDH activity stimulates DSB repair and can lead to radioresistance of breast cancer cell lines in vitro. When compared with ALDH-negative cells, ALDH-positive cells presented significantly enhanced cell survival after radiation exposure. This enhanced cell survival was associated with stimulated Nanog, BMI1 and Notch1 protein expression, as well as stimulated Akt activity. By applying overexpression and knockdown approaches, we clearly demonstrated that Nanog expression is associated with enhanced ALDH activity and cellular radioresistance, as well as stimulated DSB repair. Akt and Notch1 targeting abrogated the Nanog-mediated radioresistance and stimulated ALDH activity. Overall, we demonstrate that Nanog signaling induces tumor cell radioresistance and stimulates ALDH activity, most likely through activation of the Notch1 and Akt pathways.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria in gastric cancer cells was driven by NADH supplied via fatty acid oxidation, and blockade of ALDH3A1 together with mitochondrial complex I using gossypol and phenformin led to significant therapeutic effects in a preclinical Gastric cancer model.
Abstract: The major source of ATP in cancer cells remains unclear. Here, we examined energy metabolism in gastric cancer cells and found increased fatty acid oxidation and increased expression of ALDH3A1. Metabolic analysis showed that lipid peroxidation by reactive oxygen species led to spontaneous production of 4-hydroxynonenal, which was converted to fatty acids with NADH production by ALDH3A1, resulting in further fatty acid oxidation. Inhibition of ALDH3A1 by knock down using siRNA of ALDH3A1 resulted in significantly reduced ATP production by cancer cells, leading to apoptosis. Oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria in gastric cancer cells was driven by NADH supplied via fatty acid oxidation. Therefore, blockade of ALDH3A1 together with mitochondrial complex I using gossypol and phenformin led to significant therapeutic effects in a preclinical gastric cancer model.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In vivo AAV-mediated ALDH2 therapy may reverse the deficiency state in AL DH2*2 individuals, eliminating the Asian flush syndrome and reducing the risk for associated disorders.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) deficiency causes “Asian flush syndrome,” presenting as alcohol-induced facial flushing, tachycardia, nausea, and headaches. One of the most common hereditary enzyme deficiencies, it affects 35%–40% of East Asians and 8% of the world population. ALDH2 is the key enzyme in ethanol metabolism; with ethanol challenge, the common ALDH2*2 (E487K) mutation results in accumulation of toxic acetaldehyde. ALDH2*2 heterozygotes have increased risk for upper digestive tract cancers, compounded by smoking and drinking alcohol. We hypothesized that a one-time administration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vector expressing the human ALDH2 coding sequence (AAVrh.10hALDH2) would correct the deficiency state. AAVrh.10hALDH2 was administered intravenously to Aldh2 knockout (Aldh2−/−) and Aldh2 E487K knockin homozygous (Aldh2E487K+/+) mice. Following acute ethanol ingestion, untreated ALDH2-deficient mice had elevated acetaldehyde levels and performed poorly in behavioral tests. In contrast, treated Aldh2−/− and Aldh2E487K+/+ mice had lower serum acetaldehyde levels and improved behavior. Thus, in vivo AAV-mediated ALDH2 therapy may reverse the deficiency state in ALDH2*2 individuals, eliminating the Asian flush syndrome and reducing the risk for associated disorders.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: AORAa appears to be a prototype of a new subfamily of bacterial AOR-like tungsten-enzymes, which differ from the previously known archaeal AORs mostly by their multi-subunit composition, their low sensitivity against oxygen, and the ability to use NAD+ as electron acceptor.
Abstract: The biochemical properties of a new tungsten-containing aldehyde oxidoreductase from the mesophilic betaproteobacterium Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1 (AORAa) are presented in this study. The enzyme was purified from phenylalanine-grown cells of an overexpressing mutant lacking the gene for an aldehyde dehydrogenase normally involved in anaerobic phenylalanine degradation. AORAa catalyzes the oxidation of a broad variety of aldehydes to the respective acids with either viologen dyes or NAD+ as electron acceptors. In contrast to previously known AORs, AORAa is a heterohexameric protein consisting of three different subunits, a large subunit containing the W-cofactor and an Fe-S cluster, a small subunit containing four Fe-S clusters, and a medium subunit containing an FAD cofactor. The presence of the expected cofactors have been confirmed by elemental analysis and spectrophotometric methods. AORAa has a pH optimum of 8.0, a temperature optimum of 40 °C and is completely inactive at 50 °C. Compared to archaeal AORs, AORAa is remarkably resistant against exposure to air, exhibiting a half-life time of 1 h as purified enzyme and being completely unaffected in cell extracts. Kinetic parameters of AORAa have been obtained for the oxidation of one aliphatic and two aromatic aldehydes, resulting in about twofold higher kcat values with benzyl viologen than with NAD+ as electron acceptor. Finally, we obtained evidence that AORAa is also catalyzing the reverse reaction, reduction of benzoate to benzaldehyde, albeit at very low rates and under conditions strongly favouring acid reduction, e.g. low pH and using Ti(III) citrate as electron donor of very low redox potential. AORAa appears to be a prototype of a new subfamily of bacterial AOR-like tungsten-enzymes, which differ from the previously known archaeal AORs mostly by their multi-subunit composition, their low sensitivity against oxygen, and the ability to use NAD+ as electron acceptor.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 2019
TL;DR: Several food commodities like fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, dairy products, spices and other miscellaneous products were investigated for their effect on the in vitro activities of the enzymes and their antioxidant properties and studies showed no correlation between ADH and ALDH enzyme activities and antioxidant property of the selected food commodities for anti-hangover effect.
Abstract: Alcohol consumption often leads to hangover, a condition characterized by several symptoms, characteristically headache, nausea, fatigue and drowsiness. Hangover may be alleviated by altering the rate of alcohol metabolism and facilitating elimination of acetaldehyde by affecting the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and/or aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes. In the present study, several food commodities like fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, dairy products, spices and other miscellaneous products (ascorbic acid, cocoa sample, tea, coffee, egg yolk and date samples) were investigated for their effect on the in vitro activities of the enzymes and their antioxidant properties. Of the many screened food commodities, few showed an increase in the activity of either one or both the enzymes, ADH and ALDH. Studies showed no correlation between ADH and ALDH enzyme activities and antioxidant property of the selected food commodities for anti-hangover effect. Further, an anti-hangover (AHO) product was developed using pear (65%), sweet lime (25%) and coconut water (10%) and, validated for in vitro ADH and ALDH enzyme activities. AHO product was found to enhance ADH and ALDH activities by 23.31% and 70.02%, respectively.

Journal ArticleDOI
27 Sep 2019-iScience
TL;DR: A positive role of ALDH1A3 (an aldehyde dehydrogenase) is identified in this pro-IH process, which promotes VSMC proliferation at least partially through TNC1/ESM1 upregulation; dampening excessive ALDH 1A3 activity represents a potential approach to IH mitigation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The current work suggests that, by blocking ALDH activity, drug inactivation may be avoided and these results may be relevant to design novel combination therapies to fight cancer cell chemoresistance, using both enzyme inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results from this work demonstrate that BrALDH genes are a promising and untapped genetic resource for crop improvement and could be deployed further in the development of drought and salinity tolerance in B. rapa and other economically important crops.
Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) carries out oxidation of toxic aldehydes using NAD+/NADP+ as cofactors. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of genes in the ALDH gene family in Brassica rapa. A total of 23 ALDH genes in the superfamily have been identified according to the classification of ALDH Gene Nomenclature Committee (AGNC). They were distributed unevenly across all 10 chromosomes. All the 23 Brassica rapa ALDH (BrALDH) genes exhibited varied expression patterns during treatments with abiotic stress inducers and hormonal treatments. The relative expression profiles of ALDH genes in B. rapa showed that they are predominantly expressed in leaves and stem suggesting their function in the vegetative tissues. BrALDH7B2 showed a strong response to abiotic stress and hormonal treatments as compared to other ALDH genes; therefore, it was overexpressed in heterologous hosts, E. coli and yeast to study its possible function under abiotic stress conditions. Over-expression of BrALDH7B2 in heterologous systems, E. coli and yeast cells conferred significant tolerance to abiotic stress treatments. Results from this work demonstrate that BrALDH genes are a promising and untapped genetic resource for crop improvement and could be deployed further in the development of drought and salinity tolerance in B. rapa and other economically important crops.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Elimination of ALDH1A enzymatic activity following a single pulse of retinoic acid does not immediately ablate spermatogenesis due to the presence of an additional source of atRetinal oxidation, providing the first in vivo evidence demonstrating that animals severely deficient in AL DH1A2 postnatally proceed normally through sperMatogenesis.
Abstract: Despite the essential role of the active metabolite of vitamin A, all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in spermatogenesis, the enzymes, and cellular populations responsible for its synthesis in the postnatal testis remain largely unknown The aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) family of enzymes residing within Sertoli cells is responsible for the synthesis of atRA, driving the first round of spermatogenesis Those studies also revealed that the atRA required to drive subsequent rounds of spermatogenesis is possibly derived from the ALDH1A enzymes residing within the meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells Three ALDH1A isozymes (ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, and ALDH1A3) are present in the testis Although, ALDH1A1 is expressed in adult Sertoli cells and is suggested to contribute to the atRA required for the pre-meiotic transitions, ALDH1A2 is proposed to be the essential isomer involved in testicular atRA biosynthesis In this report, we first examine the requirement for ALDH1A2 via the generation and analysis of a conditional Aldh1a2 germ cell knockout and a tamoxifen-induced Aldh1a2 knockout model We then utilized the pan-ALDH1A inhibitor (WIN 18446) to test the collective contribution of the ALDH1A enzymes to atRA biosynthesis following the first round of spermatogenesis Collectively, our data provide the first in vivo evidence demonstrating that animals severely deficient in ALDH1A2 postnatally proceed normally through spermatogenesis Our studies with a pan-ALDH1A inhibitor (WIN 18446) also suggest that an alternative source of atRA biosynthesis independent of the ALDH1A enzymes becomes available to maintain atRA levels for several spermatogenic cycles following an initial atRA injection

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the protein levels of ALDH7A1 and LIPC correlate with the levels of the corresponding mRNAs, reinforcing the notion that the metabolism of cancer cells has a major impact on immune and inflammatory processes in the tumor microenvironment.
Abstract: The expression of two metabolic enzymes, i.e., aldehyde dehydrogenase 7 family, member A1 (ALDH7A1) and lipase C, hepatic type (LIPC) by malignant cells, has been measured by immunohistochemical me...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily member Loktanella ALDH16 was found to be a bona fide enzyme, exhibiting NAD+-binding, ALDH activity, and esterase activity.