Relationship between alcohol consumption and the activity of GTP-binding regulatory proteins in human erythrocyte membranes.
Activity of stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein (Gs) in human erythrocyte membranes was assessed by activation of adenylate cyclase in S49 murine lymphoma variant cells to elucidate a relationship to alcohol consumption. In apparently healthy subjects, alcohol consumption < 50 g ethanol per week did not alter the Gs activity, but it was significantly higher (14.3%, P < 0.05) in moderate drinkers (50-150 g/week) than non-drinkers. Then, the Gs activity declined with a further increase in alcohol consumption (150-550 g/week). Those subjects with drinking levels of > 50 g/week also showed significant increases in other alcohol-related markers, Na+, K(+)-ATPase and gamma-glutamyltransferase. The Gs activity was significantly low in alcoholics (a 34.9% reduction). No such reduction was noted in patients with other diseases. The results indicate that the Gs activity in erythrocyte membranes is an alcohol-related marker in humans. The variation of Gs activity is distinctive from those of other alcohol-related markers.
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
J
J
Nakamura
S
S
Harada
N
N
Tanaka
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged
D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases