Possible neuroprotective mechanism of human neuroglobin.
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a newly discovered hexacoordinate globin that is expressed in vertebrate brain and can reversibly bind oxygen. Expression of Ngb increases in response to oxygen deprivation and protects neurons from hypoxia in vitro and in vivo. Recent work on human Ngb has shed light on the mechanism of this neuroprotection by human Ngb, as discussed in this review. Human ferric Ngb has been found to act as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor for the alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. Moreover, other Ngb-binding proteins also have been identified. These findings suggest that human Ngb may function as a regulator of signal transduction in the brain.
Wakasugi
Keisuke
K
Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. kei@wakasugi.mbox.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Kitatsuji
Chihiro
C
Morishima
Isao
I
D001665:Binding Sites; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins / Q000378:metabolism; D005091:Exons / Q000502:physiology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005914:Globins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
C525030:CST3 protein, human; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C106354:flotillins; D005914:Globins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins