Diacylglycerol kinase α-selective inhibitors induce apoptosis and reduce viability of melanoma and several other cancer cell lines.

Diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK), which phosphorylates DG to generate phosphatidic acid (PA), consists of ten isozymes (α-к). Recently, we identified a novel small molecule inhibitor, CU-3, that selectively inhibits the activity of the α isozyme. In addition, we newly obtained Compound A, which selectively and strongly inhibits type I DGKs (α, ß, and γ). In the present study, we demonstrated that both CU-3 and Compound A induced apoptosis (caspase 3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation) and viability reduction of AKI melanoma cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the production of 32:0- and 34:0-PA species was commonly attenuated by CU-3 and Compound A, suggesting that lower levels of these PA molecular species are involved in the apoptosis induction and viability reduction of AKI cells. We determined the effects of the DGKα inhibitors on several other cancer cell lines derived from refractory cancers. In addition to melanoma, the DGKα inhibitors enhanced caspase 3/7 activity and reduced the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer cells, but not breast adenocarcinoma cells. Interestingly, Western blot analysis indicated that the DGKα expression levels were positively correlated with the sensitivity to the DGK inhibitors. Because both CU-3 and Compound A induced interleukin-2 production by T cells, it is believed that these two compounds can enhance cancer immunity. Taken together, our results suggest that DGKα inhibitors are promising anticancer drugs.

Chemosynthetic homologues of Mycoplasma pneumoniae ß-glycolipid antigens for the diagnosis of mycoplasma infectious diseases.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae expresses ß-glycolipids (ß-GGLs) in cytoplasmic membranes, which possess a unique ß(1 → 6)-linked disaccharide epitope, which has high potential in biochemical and medicinal applications. In the present study, a series of ß-GGLs homologues with different acyl chains (C12, C14, C16, and C18) were prepared from a common precursor. An ELISA assay using an anti-(ß-GGLs) monoclonal antibody indicated that the synthetic homologues with long acyl chains had greater diagnostic potential in the order C18 > C16 > C14 > C12. Toward a simultaneous detection of natural glycolipids by mass spectrometry (MS), a deuterium-labeled C16 homologue (ß-GGL-C16-d3) was prepared and applied as an internal standard for a high-resolution electrospray ionization MS (ESI-MS) analysis. The ESI-MS analysis was used to identify and quantify acyl homologues (C16/C16, C16/C18, and C18/C18) of ß-GGL-C16 in cultured M. pneumoniae. A ß-GGLs homologue with a 1,2-diacetyl group (C2) was also prepared as a "water soluble" glycolipid homologue and characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. We envisage that each of these chemosynthetic homologues will provide promising approaches to solve medical and biological problems associated with mycoplasma infectious diseases (MIDs).

Development of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based enzyme activity assay for phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C.

Phosphatidylcholine (PC)-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) hydrolyzes PC to generate the second messenger 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) and phosphocholine. PC-PLC plays pivotal roles in inflammation, carcinogenesis, tumor progression, atherogenesis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although the activity of PC-PLC in mammalian tissues was discovered approximately 40 years ago, neither the protein nor its gene has been identified. In the present study, we developed a non-radioactive enzyme activity assay for PC-PLC based on mass spectrometric detection of DG following HPLC separation. This new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay directly determines a specific reaction product, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-DG, that is generated from 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-PC by purified Bacillus cereus PC-PLC. The LC-MS assay offers several advantages including a lower background (0.02% versus 91%), higher signal background ratio (4242 versus 1.06)/signal noise ratio (7494 versus 4.4), higher sensitivity (≥32-fold), and lower limit of quantitation (0.04 pmol versus 0.69 pmol of PC-PLC), than a conventional fluorometric assay, which indirectly detects phosphocholine produced in the reaction. In addition to Bacillus cereus PC-PLC, the LC-MS assay was applicable to the measurement of mammalian PC-PLC prepared from the mouse brain. The radioisotope-free, highly sensitive and precise LC-MS assay for PC-PLC would be useful for the purification and identification of PC-PLC protein.

A novel diacylglycerol kinase α-selective inhibitor, CU-3, induces cancer cell apoptosis and enhances immune response.

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) consists of 10 isozymes. The α-isozyme enhances the proliferation of cancer cells. However, DGKα facilitates the nonresponsive state of immunity known as T-cell anergy; therefore, DGKα enhances malignant traits and suppresses immune surveillance. The aim of this study was to identify a novel small molecule that selectively and potently inhibits DGKα activity. We screened a library containing 9,600 chemical compounds using a newly established high-throughput DGK assay. As a result, we have obtained a promising compound, 5-[(2E)-3-(2-furyl)prop-2-enylidene]-3-[(phenylsulfonyl)amino]2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one) (CU-3), which selectively inhibited DGKα with an IC50 value of 0.6 µM. CU-3 targeted the catalytic region, but not the regulatory region, of DGKα. CU-3 competitively reduced the affinity of DGKα for ATP, but not diacylglycerol or phosphatidylserine. Moreover, this compound induced apoptosis in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma and HeLa cervical cancer cells while simultaneously enhancing the interleukin-2 production of Jurkat T cells. Taken together, these results indicate that CU-3 is a selective and potent inhibitor for DGKα and can be an ideal anticancer drug candidate that attenuates cancer cell proliferation and simultaneously enhances immune responses including anticancer immunity.

Diacylglycerol kinase δ phosphorylates phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C-dependent, palmitic acid-containing diacylglycerol species in response to high glucose levels.

Decreased expression of diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK) δ in skeletal muscles is closely related to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. To identify DG species that are phosphorylated by DGKδ in response to high glucose stimulation, we investigated high glucose-dependent changes in phosphatidic acid (PA) molecular species in mouse C2C12 myoblasts using a newly established liquid chromatography/MS method. We found that the suppression of DGKδ2 expression by DGKδ-specific siRNAs significantly inhibited glucose-dependent increases in 30:0-, 32:0-, and 34:0-PA and moderately attenuated 30:1-, 32:1-, and 34:1-PA. Moreover, overexpression of DGKδ2 also enhanced the production of these PA species. MS/MS analysis revealed that these PA species commonly contain palmitic acid (16:0). D609, an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), significantly inhibited the glucose-stimulated production of the palmitic acid-containing PA species. Moreover, PC-PLC was co-immunoprecipitated with DGKδ2. These results strongly suggest that DGKδ preferably metabolizes palmitic acid-containing DG species supplied from the PC-PLC pathway, but not arachidonic acid (20:4)-containing DG species derived from the phosphatidylinositol turnover, in response to high glucose levels.

Increased cell proliferation and differential protein expression induced by low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation in human gingival fibroblasts: proteomic analysis.

Erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment has demonstrated favorable wound healing effect after periodontal therapy. One of the reasons may be the positive biological effect of the low-level laser on the irradiated tissues, although the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on cell proliferation and laser-induced differential expression of proteins in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) by proteomic analysis. In the first experiment, HGFs were exposed to low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation and the laser-induced cell proliferation and damage were evaluated on day 3. In the second experiment, proteomic analysis was performed on day 1 after irradiation. The peptides prepared from HGFs were analyzed by a hybrid ion trap-Fourier transform mass spectrometer, Mascot search engine, and UniProtKB database. A significant increase in cell proliferation without cell damage after irradiation was observed. Among the total identified 377 proteins, 59 proteins, including galectin-7, which was associated with the process of wound healing, were upregulated and 15 proteins were downregulated in laser-treated HGFs. In the third experiment, the increase in messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of galectin-7 in the irradiated HGFs was validated by various analytical techniques. In addition, the effect of recombinant human galectin-7 on the modulation of HGFs proliferation was confirmed. The results indicate that low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation can promote HGF proliferation and induce a significant change in protein expression and the upregulation of galectin-7 expression may partly contribute to the increase in cell proliferation.

Overproduction of stromal ferredoxin:NADPH oxidoreductase in H2O 2-accumulating Brassica napus leaf protoplasts.

The isolation of Brassica napus leaf protoplasts induces reactive oxygen species generation and accumulation in the chloroplasts. An activated isoform of NADPH oxidase-like protein was detected in the protoplasts and the protoplast chloroplasts. The purpose of this study is to define the NADH oxidase-like activities in the H2O2-accumulating protoplast chloroplasts. Proteomic analysis of this protein revealed an isoform of ferredoxin:NADPH oxidoreductase (FNR1). While leaves highly expressed the LFNR1 transcript, protoplasts decreased the expression significantly. The protoplast chloroplasts predominantly expressed soluble FNR1 proteins. While the albino leaves of white kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala f. tricolor cv. white pigeon) expressed FNR1 protein at the same level as B. napus leaves, the protoplasts of albino leaves displayed reduced FNR1 expression. The albino leaf protoplasts of white kale generated and accumulated H2O2 in the cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane. Intracellular pH showed that the chloroplasts were acidic, which suggest that excess H(+) was generated in chloroplast stroma. NADPH content of the protoplast chloroplasts increased by over sixfold during the isolation of protoplasts. This study reports a possibility of mediating electrons to oxygen by an overproduced soluble FNR, and suggests that the FNR has a function in utilizing any excess reducing power of NADPH.

An imidazoline-aminophenol (IAP) nickel catalyst: structure and catalytic activity in the enantioselective 1,4-addition of 3'-indolyl-3-oxindoles to nitroethylene.

The structure of a nickel complex of imidazoline-aminophenol (IAP) prepared from IAP with Ni(OAc)2 was elucidated as cis-bis(imidazolineaminophenoxide) [Ni(IAP)2]. The [Ni(IAP)2] complex smoothly promoted catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition of 3'-indolyl-3-oxindole to nitroethylene to provide chiral mixed 3,3'-bisindoles with high enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies using ESI-MS analyses suggest that one IAP ligand dissociated from [Ni(IAP)2] to generate the Ni-enolate of 3'-indolyl-3-oxindole. From the optically active 3,3'-mixed indole adduct, biologically important 3'-indolyl-3-pyrrolidinoindoline was successfully synthesized in a three-step reaction sequence.

Enhanced recovery of lyophilized peptides in shotgun proteomics by using an LC-ESI-MS compatible surfactant.

LC-ESI/MS/MS-based shotgun proteomics is currently the most commonly used approach for the identification and quantification of proteins in large-scale studies of biomarker discovery. In the past several years, the shotgun proteomics technologies have been refined toward further enhancement of proteome coverage. In the complex series of protocols involved in shotgun proteomics, however, loss of proteolytic peptides during the lyophilization step prior to the LC/MS/MS injection has been relatively neglected despite the fact that the dissolution of the hydrophobic peptides in lyophilized samples is difficult in 0.05-0.1% TFA or formic acid, causing substantial loss of precious peptide samples. In order to prevent the loss of peptide samples during this step, we devised a new protocol using Invitrosol (IVS), a commercially available surfactant compatible with ESI-MS; by dissolving the lyophilized peptides in IVS, we show improved recovery of hydrophobic peptides, leading to enhanced coverage of proteome. Thus, the use of IVS in the recovery step of lyophilized peptides will help the shotgun proteomics analysis by expanding the proteome coverage, which would significantly promote the discovery and development of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Application of quantitative proteomic analysis using tandem mass tags for discovery and identification of novel biomarkers in periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the gingiva and surrounding tissues of the oral cavity. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is extracted from the gingival sulcus and pocket. Analysis of biochemical markers in GCF, which predict the progression of periodontal disease, may facilitate disease diagnosis. However, no useful GCF biochemical markers with high sensitivity for detecting periodontal disease have been identified. Thus, the search for biochemical markers of periodontal disease is of continued interest in experimental and clinical periodontal disease research. Using tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling, we analyzed GCF samples from healthy subjects and patients with periodontal disease, and identified a total of 619 GCF proteins based on proteomic analysis. Of these, we focused on two proteins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (LCN2), which are involved in the progression of periodontal disease. Western blot analysis revealed that the levels of MMP-9 and LCN2 were significantly higher in patients with periodontal disease than in healthy subjects. In addition, ELISA also detected significantly higher levels of LCN2 in patients with periodontal disease than in healthy subjects. Thus, LC-MS/MS analyses of GCF using TMT labeling led to the identification of LCN2, which may be a promising GCF biomarker for the detection of periodontal disease.

Proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid for discovery of novel periodontal disease markers.

The protein composition of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may reflect the pathophysiology of periodontal diseases. A standard GCF proteomic pattern of healthy individuals would serve as a reference to identify biomarkers of periodontal diseases by proteome analyses. However, protein profiles of GCF obtained from apparently healthy individuals have not been well explored. As a step toward detection of proteomic biomarkers for periodontal diseases, we applied both gel-based and gel-free methods to analyze GCF obtained from healthy subjects as compared with supragingival saliva. To ensure optimized protein extraction from GCF, a novel protocol was developed. The proteins in GCF were extracted with high yield by urea buffer combined with ultrafiltration and the intensity of spots with supragingival saliva and GCF was compared using agarose two-dimensional electrophoresis. Eight protein spots were found to be significantly more intense in GCF. They included superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), and dermcidin (DCD). Moreover, GCF proteins from healthy subjects were broken down into small peptide fragments and then analyzed directly by LC-MS/MS analysis. A total of 327 proteins including ApoA-I, SOD1, and DCD were identified in GCF. These results may serve as reference for future proteomic studies searching for GCF biomarkers of periodontal diseases.

Microarray analysis of gene expression in the diacylglycerol kinase η knockout mouse brain.

We have revealed that diacylglycerol kinase η (DGKη)-knockout (KO) mice display bipolar disorder (BPD) remedy-sensitive mania-like behaviors. However, the molecular mechanisms causing the mania-like abnormal behaviors remain unclear. In the present study, microarray analysis was performed to determine global changes in gene expression in the DGKη-KO mouse brain. We found that the DGKη-KO brain had 43 differentially expressed genes and the following five affected biological pathways: "neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction", "transcription by RNA polymerase II", "cytosolic calcium ion concentration", "Jak-STAT signaling pathway" and "ERK1/2 cascade". Interestingly, mRNA levels of prolactin and growth hormone, which are augmented in BPD patients and model animals, were most strongly increased. Notably, all five biological pathways include at least one gene among prolactin, growth hormone, forkhead box P3, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and interleukin 1ß, which were previously implicated in BPD. Consistent with the microarray data, phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels were decreased in the DGKη-KO brain. Microarray analysis showed that the expression levels of several glycerolipid metabolism-related genes were also changed. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that several polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing phosphatidic acid (PA) molecular species were significantly decreased as a result of DGKη deficiency, suggesting that the decrease affects PUFA metabolism. Intriguingly, the PUFA-containing lysoPA species were markedly decreased in DGKη-KO mouse blood. Taken together, our study provides not only key broad knowledge to gain novel insights into the underlying mechanisms for the mania-like behaviors but also information for developing BPD diagnostics.

Dioleoyl-phosphatidic acid selectively binds to α-synuclein and strongly induces its aggregation.

α-Synuclein (α-syn), which causally links to Parkinson's disease, binds to vesicles containing phosphatidic acid (PA). However, the effects of the fatty acyl chains of PA on its ability to bind to α-syn protein remain unclear. Intriguingly, we reveal that among several PA species, 18:1/18:1-PA is the most strongly bound PA to the α-syn protein. Moreover, 18:1/18:1-PA more strongly enhances secondary structural changes from the random coil form to the α-helical form than 16:0/18:1-PA. Furthermore, 18:1/18:1-PA more markedly accelerates generation of multimeric and proteinase K-resistant α-syn protein compared to 16:0/18:1-PA. These results indicate that among phospholipids examined so far, 18:1/18:1-PA demonstrates the strongest binding to α-syn, as well as the most effective enhancement of its secondary structural changes and aggregation formation.

Diacylglycerol kinase ζ generates dipalmitoyl-phosphatidic acid species during neuroblastoma cell differentiation.

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is one of the phospholipids composing the plasma membrane and acts as a second messenger to regulate a wide variety of important cellular events, including mitogenesis, migration and differentiation. PA consists of various molecular species with different acyl chains at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. However, it has been poorly understood what PA molecular species are produced during such cellular events. Here we identified the PA molecular species generated during retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuroblastoma cell differentiation using a newly established liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method. Intriguingly, the amount of 32:0-PA species was dramatically and transiently increased in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells 24-48 h after RA-treatment. In addition, 30:0- and 34:0-PA species were also moderately increased. Moreover, similar results were obtained when Neuro-2a cells were differentiated for 24 h by serum starvation. MS/MS analysis revealed that 32:0-PA species contains two palmitic acids (16:0 s). RT-PCR analysis showed that diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) δ and DGKζ were highly expressed in Neuro-2a cells. The silencing of DGKζ expression significantly decreased the production of 32:0-PA species, whereas DGKδ-siRNA did not. Moreover, neurite outgrowth was also markedly attenuated by the deficiency of DGKζ. Taken together, these results indicate that DGKζ exclusively generates very restricted PA species, 16:0/16:0-PA, and up-regulates neurite outgrowth during the initial/early stage of neuroblastoma cell differentiation.

Valosin-containing Protein is a Target of 5'-l Fuligocandin B and Enhances TRAIL Resistance in Cancer Cells.

Fuligocandin B (2) is a novel natural product that can overcome TRAIL resistance. We synthesized enatiomerically pure fuligocandin B (2) and its derivative 5'-I fuligocandin B (4), and found that the latter had an improved biological activity against the human gastric cancer cell line, AGS. We attached a biotin linker and photoactivatable aryl diazirine group to 5'-I fuligocandin B (4), and employed a pull-down assay to identify valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), an AAA ATPase, as a 5'-I fuligocandin B (4) target protein. Knock-down of VCP by siRNA enhanced sensitivity to TRAIL in AGS cells. In addition, 4 enhanced CHOP and DR5 protein expression, and overall intracellular levels of ubiquitinated protein. These data suggest that endoplasmic reticulum stress caused through VCP inhibition by 4 increases CHOP-mediated DR5 up-regulation, which enhances TRAIL-induced cell death in AGS cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example to show a relationship between VCP and TRAIL-resistance-overcoming activity in cancer cells.

Combined Secretomics and Transcriptomics Revealed Cancer-Derived GDF15 is Involved in Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer Progression and Fibroblast Activation.

Gastric cancer is classified into two subtypes, diffuse and intestinal. The diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) has poorer prognosis, and the molecular pathology is not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was to identify functional secreted molecules involved in DGC progression. We integrated the secretomics of six gastric cancer cell lines and gene expression analysis of gastric cancer tissues with publicly available microarray data. Hierarchical clustering revealed characteristic gene expression differences between diffuse- and intestinal-types. GDF15 was selected as a functional secreted molecule owing to high expression only in fetal tissues. Protein expression of GDF15 was higher in DGC cell lines and tissues. Serum levels of GDF15 were significant higher in DGC patients as compared with healthy individuals and chronic gastritis patients, and positively correlated with wall invasion and lymph node metastasis. In addition, the stimulation of GDF15 on NIH3T3 fibroblast enhanced proliferation and up-regulated expression of extracellular matrix genes, which were similar to TGF-ß stimulation. These results indicate that GDF15 contributes to fibroblast activation. In conclusion, this study revealed that GDF15 may be a novel functional secreted molecule for DGC progression, possibly having important roles for cancer progression via the affecting fibroblast function, as well as TGF-ß.

Autoantibodies against vinculin in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

To identify the target molecules of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), we used proteomic-based approach in the extracted proteins from porcine cauda equina. Two of 31 CIDP patients had markedly elevated serum autoantibodies against vinculin, a cell adhesion protein. Both of the patients with anti-vinculin antibodies had similar clinical manifestation, which are compatible with those of "typical" CIDP. Immunocytochemistry showed that vinculin was stained at the myelin sheath of the sciatic nerves by serum samples. Our results suggest that vinculin is a possible immunological target molecule in a subpopulation of typical CIDP patients.

A trinuclear Zn3(OAc)4-3,3'-bis(aminoimino)binaphthoxide complex for highly efficient catalytic asymmetric iodolactonization.

A 3,3'-bis(aminoimino)BINOL ligand was newly designed and synthesized for the formation of a trinuclear Zn complex upon reaction with Zn(OAc)2. Using the harmony of the tri-zinc atoms, 1 mol% Zn3(OAc)4-3,3'-bis(aminoimino)binaphthoxide catalyzed asymmetric iodolactonization in up to 99.9% ee.

Human apolipoprotein e resequencing by proteomic analysis and its application to serotyping.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) typing is considered important because of the association between ApoE and Alzheimer's disease and familial dyslipidemia and is currently performed by genetic testing (APOE genotyping). ApoE levels in plasma and serum are clinically determined by immunoassay. METHODS: Combining an ApoE immunoassay reagent with proteomic analysis using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer, we attempted to resequence ApoE from trace amounts of serum for typing (serotyping). Most (24 of 33) ApoE mutant proteins registered to date with Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, such as ApoE2 and ApoE4, involve lysine and arginine mutations. Digestion of mutant ApoE with trypsin will thus result in fragments that differ substantially from wild-type ApoE3 in terms of mass, making serotyping ideally suited to mass spectrometry analysis. RESULTS: The mean coverage of the amino acid sequence of full-length ApoE was 91.6% in the protein resequence. Residues 112 and 158 (which are mutated in ApoE2 and ApoE4) were covered in all samples, and the protein sequences were used for serotyping. Serotypes including all heterozygous combinations (ApoE2/E3, E2/E4, E3/E4) corresponded exactly to the APOE genotyping results in each of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Our novel ApoE serotyping method with protein resequencing requires no synthesis of stable isotope-labeled peptides or genome analysis. The method can use residual blood from samples collected for routine clinical tests, thus enabling retrospective studies with preserved body fluids. The test could be applied to samples from subjects whose DNA is unavailable. In future studies, we hope to demonstrate the capability of our method to detect rare ApoE mutations.

Overexpression of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA synthase 2 and 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase in rat pancreas following chronic alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVES: The mechanism of alcohol-induced pancreatic damage is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of chronic alcohol intake on the pancreatic proteome. METHODS: Rats were fed an alcohol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet, and the pancreatic proteome was compared with that of pair-fed control rats using agarose 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The expression of 3 proteins was consistently altered in alcohol-fed rats: 1 protein was down-regulated, and 2 proteins were up-regulated. The 2 up-regulated proteins were identified as 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGCS2). The combined concentration of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals was significantly greater in alcohol-fed rats. It is noteworthy that the reactivity of anti-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal antibody was significantly higher toward HMGCS2 isolated from alcohol-fed rats. The activity of HMGCS2 was higher in alcohol-fed rats, but the relative increase in enzyme activity in alcohol-fed rats was less than the relative increase in HMGCS2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcohol consumption results in distinct alterations in the expression of 3 pancreatic proteins. The reactivity of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal toward one of the up-regulated proteins, HMGCS2, increased markedly following chronic alcohol intake, suggesting that up-regulation of HMGCS2 is connected with alterations of lipid peroxidation induced by alcohol.