title: Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with nitric oxide pathways in glutamate neurotoxicity.
abstract: Multiple mechanisms underlying glutamate-induced neurotoxicity have recently been discussed. Likewise, a clear deregulation of the mitochondrial respiratory mechanism has been described in patients with neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This article highlights nitric oxide, an atypical neurotransmitter synthesized and released on demand by the post-synaptic neurons, and has many important implications for nerve cell survival and differentiation. Consequently, synaptogenesis, synapse elimination, and neurotransmitter release, are nitric oxide-modulated. Interesting, an emergent role of nitric oxide pathways has been discussed as regards neurotoxicity from glutamate-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that nitric oxide pathways modulation could prevent oxidative damage to neurons through apoptosis inhibition. This review aims to highlight the emergent aspects of nitric oxide-mediated signaling in the brain, and how they can be related to neurotoxicity, as well as the development of neurodegenerative diseases development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical and Experimental Biology of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (IMBECU-CONICET), Argentina; Pharmacology Area, Pathology Department, Medical Sciences College, National University of Cuyo, Argentina. Electronic address: wmanucha@yahoo.com.ar.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manucha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D018698:Glutamic Acid
keywords: Apoptosis; Enfermedades neurodegenerativas; Estrés oxidativo; Glutamate; Glutamato; Mitochondria; Mitocondria; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurotoxicidad; Neurotoxicity; Nitric oxide; Oxidative stress; Óxido nítrico