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Human neuroglobin protein in cerebrospinal fluid
Begona Casado1, Lewis K Pannell, Gail Whalen
1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20007-2197, USA. bc48@georgetown.edu.
Proteome Science
|February 26, 2005
Summary
Neuroglobin, a protein found in the brain, was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of female chronic pain patients. This marks the first discovery of neuroglobin in cerebrospinal fluid, with its release mechanism still unknown.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neuroglobin is a hexacoordinated globin protein found in brain regions and retina.
- It may offer protection against ischemia and nitric oxide-induced neural injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of neuroglobin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of individuals with chronic pain.
- To determine if neuroglobin levels differ between pain patients and control subjects.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 17 subjects (12 chronic pain, 5 control).
- Proteins were precipitated, digested, and separated using capillary liquid chromatography.
- Peptides were analyzed via nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry and identified using MASCOT.
Main Results:
- Six distinct neuroglobin peptides were identified in 3 out of 9 female chronic pain subjects.
- No neuroglobin peptides were detected in male pain subjects or any control subjects (male or female).
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first detection of neuroglobin in human cerebrospinal fluid.
- The presence of neuroglobin in CSF appears to be associated with chronic pain in females, but the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.