title: Neuroglobin involvement in visual pathways through the optic nerve.
abstract: Neuroglobin is a member of the globin superfamily proposed to be only expressed in neurons and involved in neuronal protection from hypoxia or oxidative stress. A significant fraction of the protein localizes within the mitochondria and is directly associated with mitochondrial metabolism and integrity. The retina is the site of the highest concentration for neuroglobin and has been reported to be up to 100-fold higher than in the brain. Since neuroglobin was especially abundant in retinal ganglion cell layer, we investigated its abundance in optic nerves. Remarkably in optic nerves, neuroglobin is observed, as expected, in retinal ganglion cell axon profiles but also astrocyte processes, in physiological conditions, possess high levels of the protein. Neuroglobin mRNA and protein levels are ~10-fold higher in optic nerves than in retinas, indicating an important accumulation of neuroglobin in these support cells. Additionally, neuroglobin levels increase in Müller cells during reactive gliosis in response to eye injury. This suggests the pivotal role of neuroglobin in retinal glia involved in neuronal support and/or healing. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins.
authors: INSERM, U968, Paris F-75012, France. christophe.lechauve@inserm.fr
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Lechauve
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Augustin
authors: Delphine
authors: D
authors: Roussel
authors: José-Alain
authors: JA
authors: Sahel
authors: Marisol
authors: M
authors: Corral-Debrinski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005911:Gliosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005914:Globins
keywords: Glial cell; Mitochondria; Nerve axon; Neuroglobin; Optic nerve; Retinal ganglion cell