The Differential Roles of Glutamine Synthetase in Methylmercury Neurotoxicity

  • Park, Young-Jin (Toxicology Lab.. Korea Institute of Science and Technology. Yonsei University) ;
  • Lee, Seung-Taek (Department of Biochemistry. College of Science. Yonsei University) ;
  • Kwon, Oh-Seung (Toxicology Lab., Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
  • Published : 2002.10.01

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg). a potent neurotoxicant. produces neuronal death that may be partially mediated by glutamate. Glutamine synthetase (GS), a glial-specific enzyme. catalyzes the synthesis of glutamine from glutamate and ammonia and is associated with ischemic injury and neurological diseases. Objectives of this experiment are to investigate whether in vivo and in vitro MeHg exposure have adverse effects on GS and whether duration of exposure to MeHg and glutamate co-treatment playa role in MeHg-induced toxicity. (omitted)

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