Identification and characterization of uptake systems for cystine and cysteine in cultured astrocytes and neurons: Evidence for methylmercury-targeted disruption of astrocyte transport

Gouri Shanker, Michael Aschner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

98 Scopus citations

Abstract

Maintenance of appropriate intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels is crucial for cellular defense against oxidative damage. A suggested mechanism of methylmercury (MeHg) neurotoxicity implicates the involvement of oxygen radical formation and a decrease in cellular levels of GSH. Astrocytes play an important role in providing GSH precursors to neurons, and as will be discussed in this review, altered GSH homeostasis likely leads to impairment of astrocytic handling of glutamate, and neuronal energy metabolism. The review summarizes recent observations on transport systems for cysteine and cystine, precursors of GSH, in primary cultures of astrocytes and neurons, and their sensitivity to MeHg treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)998-1002
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research
Volume66
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Astrocytes
  • Cysteine
  • Cystine
  • Methylmercury
  • Neurons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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