title: Searching for neuroglobin's role in the brain.
abstract: Neuroglobin is a small globin that plays an important role in the protection of brain neurons from ischemic and hypoxic injuries. The molecular mechanisms by which Ngb performs its physiological function are still under debate. Suggestions include oxygen storage and delivery, scavenging of NO and/or reactive oxygen species, oxygen sensing and signal transduction. In recent years, the molecular structures of Ngb with carbon monoxide bound to the heme iron and without an exogenous ligand have been solved, and interesting structural changes have been noticed upon ligand binding. Moreover, equilibrium and kinetic properties of the reactions with ligands have been examined in great detail. Here we summarize the molecular properties of Ngb and discuss them in relation to the potential physiological functions.
authors: Institute of Biophysics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Nienhaus
authors: G Ulrich
authors: GU
authors: Nienhaus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D005914:Globins