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Marked increase of cysteine levels in many regions of the brain after administration of 2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate
Author(s) -
Anderson Mary E.,
Meister Alton
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.3.5.2920877
Subject(s) - cysteine , carboxylate , administration (probate law) , chemistry , pharmacology , medicine , biochemistry , political science , enzyme , law
Although brain cysteine levels can be increased by administration of cysteine, treatment with this amino acid causes toxicity. L‐2‐Oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate, a compound in which the thiol group is masked, is effectively transported into the mouse and rat brain. It is converted intracellularly by the action of 5‐oxopro‐linase into L‐cysteine. Study of various regions of the rat brain (cerebellum, hypothalamus, cortex, brain stem, pons, caudate nucleus) showed that the levels of cysteine increased significantly after administration of L‐2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate. Glutathione levels were not increased or were only slightly increased under these conditions, reflecting the low rate of glutathione synthesis in many regions of the brain.— A nderson , M. E.; M eister , A. Marked increase of cysteine levels in many regions of the brain after administration of 2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate. FASEB J. 3: 1632‐1636; 1989.