Molecular characterization of fetal alcohol syndrome using mRNA differential display.

The molecular pathogenesis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has not been well elucidated. The technique of mRNA differential display was used to characterize the etiology and to identify potential markers for FAS. Out of approximately 1,080 mRNA transcripts in mouse embryos that were analyzed, the levels of three mRNAs were altered by ethanol. Two of these mRNAs (one novel and one encoding heat shock protein 47) were also modulated by another teratogen, 3-methylcholanthrene. The third mRNA, encoding alpha-tropomyosin, was specifically up-regulated by ethanol. Consistent with the Northern blot data, immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the level of alpha-tropomyosin protein (31 kDa, most likely a brain specific isoform) was elevated in the embryos exposed to ethanol.