Mechanisms of Alcohol Induced Effects on Cellular Cholesterol Dynamics
Abstract
Cholesterol is important in regulation of cell structure and function. Equally important is the role that cholesterol plays in vascular disease. The focus of this grant is on mechanisms of alcohol induced disruption of cellular cholesterol transport and distribution. An overriding conclusion of the work of the past 3 years is that ethanol at concentrations observed in problem drinkers and alcoholics (e.g., an individual consuming either 6 beers, or 6 one shots of whiskey, or 6 glasses of wine) has a profound and multifaceted effect on cellular regulation of cholesterol. Our work to date shows that many of the systems involved in regulating cholesterol transport are perturbed by ethanol (HDL, apoA-I, LDL, PC-PLC, PC-PLD). The Golgi complex plays an important role in protein and lipid trafficking and our new data confirm that the Golgi complex is perturbed by ethanol. Moreover, we are now able to measure the distribution of cholesterol in the Golgi complex and we now show that ethanol has a very specific effect on regions of the Golgi complex and acts to reduce cholesterol in the trans-Golgi region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA423245
Entities
Organizations
- University of Minnesota