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Effects of polyhydroxyl alcohols on protein synthesis in brain slices
Abstract:
Stressors such as tissue slicing, toxic chemicals, and heat shock applied to cultured cells, organ tissues, or whole animals in vivo induce the synthesis of a 71,000-kilodalton stress protein (SP71) that is not normally present in most organ tissues. In the present experiment, an attempt was made to inhibit selectively the synthesis of SP71 in rat brain tissue slices. Of several manipulations to the brain slice incubation medium that were examined, only addition of very high concentrations of certain polyhydroxyl alcohols, i.e., 1.0 M glycerol, selectively inhibited SP71 synthesis. Glycerol also selectively inhibited SP71 synthesis in heat-shocked cerebral microvascular cells in culture but failed to inhibit SP71 synthesis in anesthetized rats in vivo in response to heat shock. The effects of glycerol on SP71 synthesis are discussed in relationship to current hypotheses concerning the function of SP71.
Insights
Researchers found that high concentrations of glycerol can selectively inhibit the synthesis of 71,000-kilodalton stress protein (SP71) in rat brain tissue slices and cultured cells. However, this effect was not observed in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Stressors induce the synthesis of 71,000-kilodalton stress protein (SP71) in various tissues.
- SP71 is typically absent in most normal organ tissues.
- Understanding SP71 synthesis regulation is crucial for stress response research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for selectively inhibiting SP71 synthesis in rat brain tissue.
- To explore the role of polyhydroxyl alcohols in modulating SP71 production.
Main Methods:
- Rat brain tissue slices were incubated with various substances.
- Cultured cerebral microvascular cells were subjected to heat shock.
- SP71 synthesis was measured following experimental manipulations.
- In vivo experiments were conducted on anesthetized rats subjected to heat shock.
Main Results:
- Addition of 1.0 M glycerol selectively inhibited SP71 synthesis in rat brain slices.
- Glycerol also selectively inhibited SP71 synthesis in heat-shocked cerebral microvascular cells.
- Glycerol failed to inhibit SP71 synthesis in rats in vivo under heat shock conditions.
Conclusions:
- High concentrations of glycerol can selectively inhibit SP71 synthesis in vitro.
- The inhibitory effect of glycerol on SP71 synthesis may be context-dependent (in vitro vs. in vivo).
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and functional implications of SP71 regulation by glycerol.