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Peroxynitrite as a novel neuroprotective intercellular signal
Author(s) -
Bolaños J. P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.85.s2.9_4.x
Subject(s) - peroxynitrite , neuroprotection , neurodegeneration , neurotoxicity , nitric oxide , microbiology and biotechnology , astrocyte , chemistry , intracellular , peroxynitrous acid , reactive nitrogen species , neuroscience , glutamate receptor , biology , biochemistry , reactive oxygen species , superoxide , medicine , central nervous system , enzyme , disease , organic chemistry , toxicity , receptor
Peroxynitrite is thought to be a nitric oxide‐derived neurotoxic effector molecule involved in the disruption of key energy‐related metabolic and structural targets. Recent work from our laboratory has reported that (1) l ‐arginine released from astrocytes in response to peroxynitrite is efficiently taken up by neighboring neurons, a fact that seems to be focussed to facilitate nitric oxide biosynthesis; and (2) peroxynitrite rapidly and strongly activates the pentose‐phosphate pathway in neurons and in astrocytes, a phenomenon that appears to be associated with glutathione regeneration and neuronal protection against apoptotic death. According to these lines of evidence we suggest that, whereas exerting delayed neurotoxicity, peroxynitrite may initially serve as a neuron/astrocyte intercellular signaling molecule that triggers key metabolic changes aimed at preventing the propagation of neurodegeneration. Acknowledgements: Funded by MCYT Grant SAF2001‐1961 and JCYL Grant SA065/01.