Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine calmodulin distribution in platelets of alcoholics. Eight alcoholics were diagnosed by DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition) criteria prior to admission to the Alcohol Unit, VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX. Whole blood was drawn after a five day washout period, and again after 30 days of disulfiram treatment. Platelets were prepared from the whole blood, suspended in Ringer's-citrate-dextrose buffer (RCD), divided into 2 aliquots, then sonicated and centrifuged (100K × g). Supernatants were assayed for calmodulin content by RIA. The pellets were resuspended by sonication in 1 mM EGTA in RCD or 1% (w/v) Lubrol-PX in RCD, then centrifuged at 100K × g. Calmodulin was measured in the EGTA and Lubrol supernatants. EGTA-extractable calmodulin in pre-disulfiram, post-disulfiram, and control subjects was 5.07±2.2 (SD), 5.19±1.7 (SD), and 10.5±6.7 (SD) ng calmodulin/mg whole platelet protein. The EGTA-extractable calmodulin was significantly lower in alcoholics pre- or post-disulfiram than in controls (p<0.025). These preliminary results suggest an alteration in platelet membranes of alcoholics that affects the binding of calmodulin.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 433-436 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Alcohol |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1985 |
Keywords
- Alcoholic
- Calmodulin
- EGTA
- Human
- Membrane
- Platelet
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Toxicology