Differential and critical roles of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in alcohol-induced gene dysregulations and birth defects in Xenopus embryos

Abstract

Alcohol is the most common teratogen in humans. Excessive alcohol consumption in pregnant women may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is characterized by microcephaly, growth retardation, facial dysmorphology, and abnormalities in the central nervous system. Despite extensive studies, the molecular mechanisms underlying FAS remain unclear. To this end, we established a Xenopus laevis embryo model to study the effects of alcohol on fetal development. We will discuss the relationship between alcohol-induced oxidative and nitrosative stresses and their differential and critical roles in the downregulation of key developmental genes and birth defects in the X. laevis embryo model. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.