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Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications
Published on: May 18, 2017
Neuroglobin in aging carotid bodies
V Verratti1, C Di Giulio, G Bianchi
1Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy. vittorelibero@hotmail.it
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|June 19, 2009
Summary
Neuroglobin (Ngb) levels increase in young rats' carotid bodies under hypoxia, but not in older rats. This suggests Ngb plays a role in the aging response to low oxygen conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a vertebrate globin found in brain and retina, concentrated in mitochondria-rich neuronal areas.
- Ngb distribution correlates with cellular oxygen consumption rates.
- Previous studies confirmed Ngb expression in carotid body (CB) tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Ngb during aging and hypoxia.
- To explore the link between hypoxia and aging through adaptive and protective mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Age-matched rats (3 and 24 months old) were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (10-12% oxygen) or room air for 12 days.
- Ngb presence in CB tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Ngb immunoreactivity significantly increased in CB tissues of young rats exposed to hypoxia.
- CB tissues from old rats showed no significant Ngb increase following hypoxic exposure.
- Hypoxia impacts Ngb levels differently in young versus aged rats.
Conclusions:
- Ngb's response to hypoxia is age-dependent.
- Ngb may function as a respiratory protein, binding oxygen and nitric oxide.
- Ngb could be involved in scavenging NO and detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) under hypoxia.
