ABSTRACT
The enzyme cytochrome c oxidase is a mitochondrial protein complex that plays a crucial role in oxidative metabolism. In the present study we show that amounts of two of its protein subunits (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [CO-I] and II [CO-II]) are influenced by both learning-independent and learning-dependent factors. Converging evidence has consistently implicated the left intermediate medial mesopallium (IMM) in the chick brain as a memory store for the learning process of visual imprinting. This form of learning proceeds very shortly after chicks have been hatched. In the left IMM, but not in three other brain regions studied, amounts of CO-I and CO-II co-varied: the correlation between them was highly significant. This relationship did not depend on learning. However, learning influenced the amounts of both proteins, but did so only in the left IMM. In this region, amounts of each protein increased with the strength of learning. These findings raise the possibility that the molecular mechanisms involved in the coordinated assembly of cytochrome c oxidase are precociously developed in the left IMM compared to the other regions studied. This precocious development may enable the region to respond efficiently to the oxidative demands made by the changes in synaptic connectivity that underlie memory formation and would allow the left IMM to function as a storage site within hours after hatching.
Subject(s)
Cerebrum/enzymology , Electron Transport Complex IV/chemistry , Functional Laterality/physiology , Learning/physiology , Memory/physiology , Mitochondrial Proteins/chemistry , Mitochondrial Proteins/physiology , Animals , Cerebrum/anatomy & histology , Cerebrum/growth & development , Chickens , Electron Transport Complex IV/biosynthesis , Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics , Electron Transport Complex IV/physiology , Functional Laterality/genetics , Genomic Imprinting/physiology , Isoenzymes/chemistry , Isoenzymes/genetics , Isoenzymes/physiology , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Protein Subunits/chemistry , Protein Subunits/genetics , Protein Subunits/physiologyABSTRACT
Myo-inositol (MI) and its isomers are used for the treatment of various neuropathological conditions. The purpose of the present research was to study anticonvulsant properties of MI and scyllo-inositol (SCI) on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced seizures in rats. Half an hour after treatment with MI (30 mg/kg) or SCI (5 mg/kg) seizures were induced in Wistar rats with PTZ (60 mg/kg). Control animals were treated either by normal saline or mannitol (control polyol of the same molecular weight, 30 mg/kg), given at the same time interval before PTZ injection, as MI/SCI groups. The anticonvulsant effects of MI/SCI treatment were assessed by the latent period (the time from PTZ-injection to the onset of first seizures), and the duration and severity (score) of seizures. The mortality rate was also assessed. Both MI and SCI treatment significantly reduced the seizure score, seizure duration and increased the latent period. These data suggest for strong potential of MI and SCI as the agents of antiepileptic therapy.
Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Inositol/pharmacology , Seizures/drug therapy , Animals , Convulsants/toxicity , Pentylenetetrazole/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Seizures/chemically inducedABSTRACT
Oleamide exhibits antiepileptic activity and significantly decreases the degree of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures.
