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Neuroprotective effects of gangliosides may involve inhibition of nitric oxide synthase
Author(s) -
Dawson Ted M.,
Hung Kenneth,
Dawson Valina L.,
Steiner Joseph P.,
Snyder Solomon H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410370122
Subject(s) - neuroprotection , neurotoxicity , nitric oxide synthase , nitric oxide , chemistry , pharmacology , biochemistry , ganglioside , glutamate receptor , biology , enzyme , toxicity , receptor , organic chemistry
Gangliosides are polar, sugar‐containing lipids that are major constituents of neuronal membranes. Gangliosides are neuroprotective in animal models of neurotoxicity and may also be useful in patients with clinical conditions such as spinal cord injury. We show that a series of gangliosides inhibit nitric oxide synthase activity by binding calmodulin. The prevention of glutamate neurotoxicity in cortical cultures by gangliosides closely parallels their potencies in binding calmodulin and inhibiting nitric oxide synthase. Neuroprotective effects of gangliosides may arise from blockade of nitric oxide formation.