Compartmentalization of the redox environment in PC-12 neuronal cells

Eur Biophys J. 2010 May;39(6):993-9. doi: 10.1007/s00249-009-0470-9. Epub 2009 Jun 3.

Abstract

Neuronal redox phenomena are involved in numerous biochemical pathways and play a key role in many pathological events and clinical situations. The oxidation/reduction (redox) state present in biological compartments is a major target for possible pharmaceutical intervention and, consequently, the processes associated with its change have attracted increased attention in recent years. Here, we analyze the redox environment and its spatial compartmentalization in differentiated neuronal phenotype of PC-12 cells using a redox-sensitive protein (i.e., a mutant of the Yellow Fluorescent protein), employed ratiometrically. Redox maps of cells were generated with an elevate spatial resolution, and the spatial distributions of highly oxidized and highly reduced regions have been determined. A quantitative analysis of redox maps allows the disclosure of a peculiar spatial organization of the redox environment.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Cell Compartmentation / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins