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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Neuroprotective effects of gangliosides may involve inhibition of nitric oxide synthase
T M Dawson1, K Hung, V L Dawson
1Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Abstract:
Gangliosides are polar, sugar-containing lipids that are major constituents of neuronal membranes. Gangliosides are neuroprotective in animal models of neurotoxicity and may also be useful in patients with clinical conditions such as spinal cord injury. We show that a series of gangliosides inhibit nitric oxide synthase activity by binding calmodulin. The prevention of glutamate neurotoxicity in cortical cultures by gangliosides closely parallels their potencies in binding calmodulin and inhibiting nitric oxide synthase. Neuroprotective effects of gangliosides may arise from blockade of nitric oxide formation.
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