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Revision as of 14:18, 12 September 2018
Abstract
Turning red after consuming alcohol may seem like a mere social inconvenience. Yet, this flushing response is caused by an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a carcinogenic intermediate of alcohol metabolism. Acetaldehyde is broken down into harmless acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). ALDH2 deficiency, the result of a point mutation in the ALDH2 gene, produces a much less efficient ALDH2 enzyme, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde and the subsequent flushing response. While about 8% of the global population is ALDH2 deficient, in our home, Taiwan, approximately 47% of the population carries this genetic mutation--the highest percentage in the world! Studies show that ALDH2 deficiency greatly increases the risk of developing esophageal and head and neck cancer. Thus, our project aims to produce recombinant ALDH2 to decrease levels of acetaldehyde in the upper digestive tract region. We envision delivery of ALDH2 as a purified protein or in consumer-friendly probiotics.
Turning red ๐ after consuming alcohol ๐น๐บ may seem like a mere social inconvenience๐คท. Yet, this flushing response ๐ก is caused by an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a carcinogenic ๐ intermediate of alcohol ๐ฅ๐ฅ metabolism. Acetaldehyde is broken down ๐ into harmless acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). ALDH2 deficiency, the result of a point mutation in the ALDH2 gene, produces a much less efficient ๐ขALDH2 enzyme, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde and the subsequent flushing response ๐ก. While about 8% of the global ๐ population is ALDH2 deficient, in our home, Taiwan, approximately 47% of the population carries this genetic mutation--the highest percentage in the world ๐คฆโ! Studies show that ALDH2 deficiency greatly increases the risk of developing esophageal and head and neck cancer ๐. Thus, our project ๐จโ๐ฌ๐ฉโ๐ฌ aims to produce recombinant ALDH2 to decrease levels of acetaldehyde in the upper digestive tract region. We envision ๐delivery ๐ฌ๐ฆ of ALDH2 as a purified protein or in consumer-friendly probiotics