title: Differential expression of 14-3-3 isoforms in human alcoholic brain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropathological damage as a result of chronic alcohol abuse often results in the impairment of cognitive function. The damage is particularly marked in the frontal cortex. The 14-3-3 protein family consists of 7 proteins, β, γ, ε, ζ, η, θ, and σ, encoded by 7 distinct genes. They are highly conserved molecular chaperones with roles in the regulation of metabolism, signal transduction, cell-cycle control, protein trafficking, and apoptosis. They may also play an important role in neurodegeneration in chronic alcoholism.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used real-time PCR to measure the expression of 14-3-3 mRNA transcripts in both the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and motor cortex of human brains obtained at autopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly lower 14-3-3β, γ, and θ expression in both cortical areas of alcoholics, but no difference in 14-3-3η expression, and higher expression of 14-3-3σ in both areas. Levels of 14-3-3ζ and ε transcripts were significantly lower only in alcoholic motor cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altered 14-3-3 expression could contribute to synaptic dysfunction and altered neurotransmission in chronic alcohol misuse by human subjects.
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute and School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: MacKay
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Colson
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lewohl
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms