These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Astrocytes convert the parkinsonism inducing neurotoxin, MPTP, to its active metabolite, MPP+.
    Author: Ransom BR, Kunis DM, Irwin I, Langston JW.
    Journal: Neurosci Lett; 1987 Apr 10; 75(3):323-8. PubMed ID: 3495754.
    Abstract:
    The ability of astrocytes to convert 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to its toxic metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) was directly tested. Cultured astrocytes rapidly converted MPTP (25 micrograms/ml) to MPP+; after 6 h MPP+ concentrations reached 1.5 micrograms/ml, within the toxic range for neurons. MPTP (above 10 micrograms/ml) reduced glial density after 5 days of exposure. This toxic effect was blocked by pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; pargyline also reduced the conversion of MPTP to MPP+ by 85%. When neurons were added to astrocyte cultures, MPTP conversion to MPP+ was not enhanced. Astrocytes appear critical in converting MPTP to MPP+, and are damaged by chronic exposure to MPTP.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]