EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON NUCLEAR CASEIN KINASE-II ACTIVITY IN BRAIN

Casein kinase II (CK II) plays an important role in serine/threonine d ependent protein phosphorylation. In brain it is associated with long term potentiation besides its involvement in DNA, RNA and protein meta bolism. Ethanol has been shown to induce cognitive impairment and affe cts DNA, RNA and protein metabolism at various steps. Since CK II is c entral in all these events, which are specifically affected by ethanol , the role of nuclear CK II is investigated in the present study. Tota l nuclear casein kinase activity was unaffected while heparin sensitiv e nuclear casein kinase II activity showed a 30% decrease in the brain from chronic alcohol fed rats. Cytosolic CK II activity was also unaf fected. Immunological detection by western analysis using CK II antibo dies showed no alteration in the quantity of enzyme. The decrease in n uclear casein kinase II might be responsible for ethanol induced cogni tive impairment in the brain.