L-cysteine, a bicarbonate-sensitive endogenous excitotoxin.
Science
; 248(4955): 596-9, 1990 May 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-2185543
ABSTRACT
After systemic administration to immature rodents, L-cysteine destroys neurons in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and striatum, but the underlying mechanism has never been clarified. This neurotoxicity of L-cysteine, in vitro or in vivo, has now been shown to be mediated primarily through the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptor (with quisqualate receptor participation at higher concentrations). In addition, the excitotoxic potency of L-cysteine was substantially increased in the presence of physiological concentrations of bicarbonate ion. L-Cysteine is naturally present in the human brain and in the environment, and is much more powerful than beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine, a bicarbonate-dependent excitotoxin, which has been implicated in an adult neurodegenerative disorder endemic to Guam. Thus, the potential involvement of this common sulfur-containing amino acid in neurodegenerative processes affecting the central nervous system warrants consideration.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Bicarbonatos
/
Núcleo Caudado
/
Cisteína
/
Neurônios
/
Neurotoxinas
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
1990
Tipo de documento:
Article