Université de Fribourg

Role for glutathione in the hyposensitivity of LPS-pretreated mice to LPS anorexia

Hernadfalvi, Noemi ; Langhans, Wolfgang ; Meyenburg, Claudia von ; Onteniente, Brigitte ; Richard, Denis ; Arsenijevic, Denis

In: European Cytokine Network, 2007, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 39-45

To study the role of the redox state regulator glutathione (GSH) in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anorexia we measured GSH in liver, serum and brain in response to intraperitoneal (ip) lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 4μg/mouse) injection in LPS-naïve and LPS-pretreated (4 μg/mouse) mice. LPS reduced food intake in LPS-naïve mice and LPS pretreatment attenuated this effect. LPS...

Université de Fribourg

Role for nerve growth factor in the in vivo regulation of glutathione in response to LPS in mice

Arsenijevic, Denis ; Hernadfalvi, Noemi ; Meyenburg, Claudia von ; Onteniente, Brigitte ; Richard, Denis ; Langhans, Wolfgang

In: European Cytokine Network, 2007, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 47-55

Since the redox state regulator glutathione (GSH) influences lipopolysaccharide (LPS) anorexia, we studied the roles of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the GSH response to intraperitoneal (ip) LPS injection in mice. Basal NGF and GSH levels were up-regulated in brain and liver of TNFα-knock-out (KO) mice, and this was associated with attenuated LPS anorexia....

Université de Fribourg

Ablation of the single dynamin of T. brucei blocks mitochondrial fission and endocytosis and leads to a precise cytokinesis arrest

Chanez, Anne-Laure ; Hehl, Adrian B. ; Engstler, Markus ; Schneider, André

In: Journal of Cell Science, 2006, vol. 119, p. 2968-2974

Mitochondrial fission is mediated by dynamin-like proteins (DLPs). Trypanosoma brucei contains a single DLP, which is the only member of the dynamin superfamily. We have previously shown that expression of the human proapoptotic Bax in T. brucei induces extensive mitochondrial fragmentation. Here we report that Baxinduced mitochondrial fission is abolished in cell lines lacking...

Université de Fribourg

Life time—circadian clocks, mitochondria and metabolism

Langmesser, Sonja ; Albrecht, Urs

In: Chronobiology International, 2006, vol. 23, no. 1-2, p. 51–157

A functional circadian clock has long been considered a selective advantage. Accumulating evidence shows that the clock coordinates a variety of physiological processes in order to schedule them to the optimal time of day and thus to synchronize metabolism to changes in external conditions. In mitochondria, both metabolic and cellular defense mechanisms are carefully regulated. Abnormal clock...

Université de Fribourg

A guideline for analyzing circadian wheel-running behavior in rodents under different lighting conditions

Jud, Corinne ; Schmutz, Isabelle ; Hampp, Gabriele ; Oster, Henrik ; Albrecht, Urs

In: Biological Procedures Online, 2005, vol. 7, p. 101-116

Most behavioral experiments within circadian research are based on the analysis of locomotor activity. This paper introduces scientists to chronobiology by explaining the basic terminology used within the field. Furthermore, it aims to assist in designing, carrying out, and evaluating wheel-running experiments with rodents, particularly mice. Since light is an easily applicable stimulus that...

Université de Fribourg

Dual targeting of a single tRNATrp requires two different tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases in Trypanosoma brucei

Charrière, Fabien ; Helgadóttir, Sunna ; Horn, Elke K. ; Söll, Dieter ; Schneider, André

In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2006, vol. 103, p. 6847-6852

The mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei does not encode any tRNAs. This deficiency is compensated for by the import of a small fraction of nearly all of its cytosolic tRNAs. Most trypanosomal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are encoded by single-copy genes, suggesting the use of the same enzyme in the cytosol and mitochondrion. However, the T. brucei genome contains two distinct genes...

Université de Fribourg

Ectopic parvalbumin expression in mouse forebrain neurons increases excitotoxic injury provoked by ibotenic acid injection into the striatum

Maetzler, Walter ; Bendfeldt, Kerstin ; Racay, Peter ; Vollenweider, Florence ; Schwaller, Beat

In: Experimental Neurology, 2004, vol. 186, no. 1, p. 78-88

A neuroprotective role for Ca²⁺-binding proteins in neurodegenerative conditions ranging from ischemia to Alzheimer's disease has been suggested in several studies. A key phenomenon in neurodegeneration is the Ca²⁺-mediated excitotoxicity brought about by the neurotransmitter glutamate. To evaluate the relative ability to resist excitotoxicity of neurons containing the slow-onset...