ENHANCED (NA-ATPASE ACTIVITY AND EXPRESSION IN MOUSE-BRAIN AFTER CHRONIC ETHANOL ADMINISTRATION(K))

It is the general hypothesis that the primary mode of action of ethano l is the alteration of membrane structure and function including the c onformation of receptors and ion channels essential for neurotransmiss ion and signal transduction. However, the issue of whether ethanol aff ects (Na+K)-ATPase under physiological conditions remains unsettled. I n this study, adult mice were treated with a daily dose of 5 g/kg of e thanol for 28 days. The RNA was isolated from brain and the (Na+K)-ATP ase mRNA level was determined using Northern blot analysis. We have fo und an increased expression of (Na+K)-ATPase alpha-subunit in the chro nically treated alcohol group as compared with that of controls. This result was further substantiated by increased protein phosphorylation as well as increased specific activity of this enzyme in the synaptoso mal plasma membrane after chronic ethanol administration. Thus we have demonstrated that ethanol may directly affect (Na+K)-ATPase in vivo, leading to the increased synthesis of this enzyme through adaptive mec hanisms.