FIND ARTICLE

BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE METALLOTHIONEINS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESSES OF OXIDACTION-REDUCTION IN CELLS, WITH THE PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Metallothioneins (MTs), as the low molecular weight proteins rich in the active thiol groups, whose synthesis and half-life are closely connected with the activity of zinc ions inside the cell, exert a significant influence on the antioxidant capacity of the environment within and outside the cell. MTs influence the trace elements homeostasis, contribute to the gene expression process and demonstrate the anti-apoptotic properties. They have the ability to bind and neutralize exogenous electrophilic compounds.

PARTICIPATION OF THE ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTORS AT1, AT2 AND AT4 IN REGULATION OF COGNITIVE PROCESSES

Recent behavioural, anatomical and molecular studies brought a considerable progress in under- standing mechanisms of learning and memory. Several areas of brain associated with learning and memory as well as plethora of factors that can modify these processes were described. Behavioural studies revealed several angiotensin (Ang) peptides, including Ang II and Ang IV, to participate in learning and memory processes but responsible mechanisms are unclear.

ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN IN PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF THE BRAIN

Synucleins are a family of small (15–20 kDa), soluble, conserved proteins that are predominan- tly expressed in neurons and include α-, β-, γ-Synuclein and Synoretine. Among the synuclein family exclusively α-Synuclein is the precursor protein for highly hydrophobic 35-amino acid peptide NAC (non-amyloid β component of Alzheimer’s disease plaques). This presynaptic protein associated with synaptic vesicles is also present in cytosol. Under physiological conditions α-Synuclein is natively unfolded.

BRAIN TOLERANCE TO ISCHEMIA

The possibility to induce tolerance to brain ischemia by different stimuli draws attention of many researchers. The perspective to make the brain, even transiently, more resistant to reduced blood flow seems to be very attractive considering its potentially clinical application. Molecular mechanisms of preconditioning are known only fragmentary, so far. The present work summarizes the current know- ledge about factors involved in the induction of brain ischemic tolerance.

BRAIN TOLERANCE TO ISCHEMIA

The possibility to induce tolerance to brain ischemia by different stimuli draws attention of many researchers. The perspective to make the brain, even transiently, more resistant to reduced blood flow seems to be very attractive considering its potentially clinical application. Molecular mechanisms of preconditioning are known only fragmentary, so far. The present work summarizes the current know- ledge about factors involved in the induction of brain ischemic tolerance.

The Editorial Board
Andrzej Łukaszyk - przewodniczący, Zofia Bielańska-Osuchowska, Szczepan Biliński, Mieczysław Chorąży, Aleksander Koj, Włodzimierz Korochoda, Leszek Kuźnicki, Aleksandra Stojałowska, Lech Wojtczak

Editorial address:
Katedra i Zakład Histologii i Embriologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu, ul. Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, tel. +48 61 8546453, fax. +48 61 8546440, email: mnowicki@ump.edu.pl

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