Abstract Alcohol-mediated mitochondrial adaptations in skeletal muscle: role of Sirtuin1
The goal of this Ruth L.
Kirschstein
NRSA F32 application is to prepare the applicant for an academic career as
an alcohol researcher. The applicant will have the invaluable opportunity to be trained in alcohol research, and
transition from basic science research to translational research. Alcohol-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction
affects 50% of individuals with alcohol use disorder. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is a salient
mechanism contributing to myopathy and data from the laboratory demonstrates that alcohol increases reactive
oxygen species production and reduces mitochondrial membrane potential in primary skeletal muscle myoblasts.
However, the alcohol-mediated specific mechanisms leading to impaired bioenergetic capacity and disrupted
cellular redox homeostasis in skeletal muscle remain incompletely understood. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), a NAD+-
dependent class-III protein deacetylase, regulates mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, and bioenergetic
capacity. The inhibition of SIRT1 is correlated with increased mitochondrial fission, and exercise-induced
increases in NAD+ levels increase skeletal muscle SIRT1 activity, positively influencing energy metabolism. We
postulate that these alterations arise from increased mitochondrial fission, driven by decreased Sirt1 activity.
Preliminary data generated for this application indicate that in differentiated primary human myotubes, electrical
pulse stimulation increases ethanol-induced reductions in Sirt1 activity. However, the precise mechanisms by
which Sirt1-induced deacetylation impacts mitochondrial dynamics and contributes to alcohol-mediated
dysregulated skeletal muscle bioenergetics remain incompletely understood. Taken together, preliminary data
and published literature provide evidence of alcohol-mediated mitochondrial adaptations leading to skeletal
muscle dysfunction. We hypothesize that alcohol dysregulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in myotubes derived
from humans by increasing mitochondrial fission and reducing mitochondrial respiration, in a Sirt1 dependent
manner. Additionally, we propose to explore the potential of electrical pulse stimulation to identify the alcohol-
associated mitochondrial dysfunction mechanisms that can be positively influenced by exercise. With a strong
mentoring team, including clinician scientists, completion of the proposed training plan in alcohol-related
research will ensure that the applicant is equipped for a successful career in alcohol translational research.