Received for publication April 9, 2009.
Revised May 15, 2009.
Accepted for publication May 21, 2009.

The Ontogeny, Distribution and Regulation of Alcohol Dehydrogenase 3: Implications for Pulmonary Physiology

Abstract

Class III alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH3), also termed formaldehyde dehydrogenase or S-nitrosoglutathione reductase, plays critical roles in the enzymatic oxidation of formaldehyde and reduction of nitrosothiols that regulate bronchial tone. Considering reported associations between formaldehyde vapor exposure and childhood asthma risk, and thus potential involvement of ADH3, we reviewed the ontogeny, distribution and regulation of mammalian ADH3. Recent evidences together indicate that multiple biological and chemical stimuli influence expression and activity of ADH3, including the feedback regulation of nitrosothiol metabolism. The levels of ADH3 correlate with, and potentially influence, bronchial tone; yet data gaps remain with respect to the expression of ADH3 during postnatal and early childhood development. Consideration of ADH3 function relative to the respiratory effects of formaldehyde, as well as to other chemical and biological exposures that might act in an additive or synergistic manner with formaldehyde, might be critical to gain better insight into the association between formaldehyde exposure and childhood asthma.

Key words: alcohol metabolism, developmental pharmacology, developmental toxicology, environmental toxicology, enzyme mechanism, gene/environment interactions, inhalation toxicology, lung inflammation, nitric oxide synthase