PMID: 15354384Sep 10, 2004Paper

Dopaminergic neurotoxicity of homocysteine and its derivatives in primary mesencephalic cultures

Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementum
I HeiderA Storch

Abstract

Levodopa and dopamine are metabolized to 3-O-methyldopa and 3-methoxytyramine, respectively, by the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) leading to the production of the demethylated cofactor S-adenosylhomo-cysteine (SAH) and subsequently homocysteine (HC). Indeed, treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with levodopa leads to increased HC blood levels. Therefore, HC is discussed to be involved in the pathogenesis of PD as well as in enhanced progression of PD in patients treated with levodopa. Here we investigated the toxicity of HC and its derivatives SAH, homocysteic acid (HCA) and cysteic acid (CA) on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in primary mesencephalic cultures from rat in vitro. Furthermore, we evaluated the toxicity of HC on cultures stressed with the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Incubation with HC or HCA did not result in significant effects on TH-positive neuron survival with concentrations up to 1 mM, but led to morphological changes of TH-positive cells with significantly fewer and shorter neurites at concentrations of > or = 100 microM after 48 h. In contrast, SAH and CA were toxic at concentrations of >100 microM after 48h. Furthermore, MPP+ showed strong t...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 1, 2006·Journal of Neural Transmission·A G LudolphT M Boeckers
Nov 23, 2006·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Ulrich C LutzMichael D Köhnke
Apr 13, 2011·Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology·Thomas Müller
Sep 13, 2005·Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research·Nicola S L FoisterGayle H Doherty
Dec 13, 2006·Neuroscience Letters·Ceri E Oldreive, Gayle H Doherty

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.