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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
10:58
Neuronal Nuclei Isolation from Human Postmortem Brain Tissue
Published on: October 1, 2008
Neurocupein from human brain
M V Mikaelyan1, R M Nalbandyan
1Institute of Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of Armenian SSR, Yerevan, 375044, U.S.S.R.
Neurochemistry International
|May 25, 2010
Summary
Highly purified human neurocuprein, a copper-containing protein, shows similarities to bovine neurocuprein but is found in significantly higher concentrations in the human brain.
Area of Science:
- Neurochemistry
- Proteomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neurocuprein is a copper-binding protein found in the brain.
- Previous studies have characterized neurocuprein from bovine sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To obtain highly purified neurocuprein from human brain.
- To compare the properties of human neurocuprein with bovine neurocuprein.
- To determine the relative abundance of neurocuprein in human versus bovine brains.
Main Methods:
- Purification of neurocuprein from human brain tissue.
- Characterization of protein properties including molecular weight, copper content, isoelectric point, amino acid composition, optical spectra, and EPR spectra.
- Assessment of reactivity with catecholamines.
- Quantification of neurocuprein content in whole human and bovine brains.
Main Results:
- Neurocuprein was successfully purified from human brain.
- Human and bovine neurocupreins exhibited similar molecular weights, copper content, isoelectric points, amino acid compositions, spectral properties, and catecholamine reactivity.
- The concentration of neurocuprein in the human brain was found to be 2.5-3.0 times higher than in the bovine brain.
Conclusions:
- Human and bovine neurocupreins are highly similar proteins.
- The significantly higher content of neurocuprein in the human brain suggests potential species-specific roles or regulatory mechanisms.
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