Normal glutamate metabolism in Alzheimer's disease fibroblasts deficient in alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex activity

Developmental Neuroscience
A L CooperJ Blass

Abstract

Deficient activity of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) has been documented in Alzheimer disease (AD) brain and fibroblasts. We examined glutamate metabolism in intact AD fibroblasts previously shown to have reduced KGDHC activity to determine whether this enzyme deficiency leads to a metabolic deficit in extraneural tissues. After exposure to [13N]ammonia for 5 min, the ratio of [13N]glutamate to [13N]aspartate and the ratio of unlabeled glutamate to aspartate were comparable in AD and control fibroblasts. The ratio of [13N]glutamate/[13N]glutamine was 3.7 +/- 1.8 in AD and 6.8 +/- 2.8 in control cells, but the difference was not statistically significant. Unlabeled glutamate/glutamine ratios were similar in the AD and control cells. The rate of conversion of alpha-keto[1-14C]glutarate to 14CO2 was slightly but not statistically significantly less in the AD than in the control cells. The similarity in levels of glutamate and other amino acids in intact AD and control cells may be due in part to the high glutamate and glutamine content of the culture medium used. The similar incorporation of label derived from [13N]ammonia into glutamate/aspartate and the similar levels of alpha-ketoglutarate in AD and contr...Continue Reading

Citations

May 20, 2000·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·J P BlassG E Gibson
Jan 23, 1998·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·L GaspariniS Govoni
Feb 9, 2006·Brain Research Bulletin·Eric J MurphyGary E Gibson

❮ 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.