Alcohol increases c-myc mRNA and protein in skeletal and cardiac muscle.
The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for alcohol-induced muscle disease are unknown, although it is possible that increased proto-oncogene expression may be the causative process. Therefore, we investigated the responses of skeletal muscle c-myc protein and mRNA to a standard acute ethanol dosage regimen (75 mmol/kg/body weight [BW]) for 2.5 to 24 hours. Comparative studies were made on the heart. Acute ethanol administration in vivo led to an increase in c-myc proto-oncogene mRNA in rat skeletal and cardiac muscle. The changes in c-myc mRNA were mirrored by increases in the c-myc protein as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The changes in the c-myc protein were localized to the myonuclei, with no corresponding changes seen in the interstitial cell nuclei. This is the first report of altered proto-oncogene expression in muscle in response to ethanol. Increased c-myc mRNA and protein may reflect adaptive changes, a stress response, or another uncharacterized cellular adaptation.
Paice
A G
AG
Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Hesketh
J E
JE
Towner
P
P
Hirako
M
M
Peters
T J
TJ
Preedy
V R
VR
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000431:Ethanol