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Neurotoxicity of lead. Hypothetical molecular mechanisms of synaptic function disorders
Affiliations- Katedra Biochemii i Chemii Medycznej, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
- Zakład Biochemii i Żywienia Człowieka, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
- Katedra i Klinika Neurologii w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
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Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity is still a major health problem associated with both environmental and occupational exposure. Special attention is given to the neurotoxic effect of lead. Along with the newly emerging data, the Pb concentration in the body that can be considered safe is declining. Numerous studies on the neurotoxicity of Pb have shown multiple cellular ‘molecular targets’ of this metal at the biochemical and molecular levels, and differences in sensitivity to its toxic action among various neural cells. One possible target of the neurotoxic effect of Pb (at the synapse level) is N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. This review presents the hypothetical molecular mechanism by which Pb disrupts synapse formation and plasticity in developing hippocampal neurons and the role of the NMDA receptor-dependent signaling pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a mechanism of Pb neurotoxicity at the synapse level.
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity is still a major health problem associated with both environmental and occupational exposure. Special attention is given to the neurotoxic effect of lead. Along with the newly emerging data, the Pb concentration in the body that can be considered safe is declining. Numerous studies on the neurotoxicity of Pb have shown multiple cellular ‘molecular targets’ of this metal at the biochemical and molecular levels, and differences in sensitivity to its toxic action among various neural cells. One possible target of the neurotoxic effect of Pb (at the synapse level) is N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. This review presents the hypothetical molecular mechanism by which Pb disrupts synapse formation and plasticity in developing hippocampal neurons and the role of the NMDA receptor-dependent signaling pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a mechanism of Pb neurotoxicity at the synapse level.
Keywords
lead (Pb), neurotoxicity, NMDA receptor, BDNF, brain, hippocampus
About this articleTitle
Neurotoxicity of lead. Hypothetical molecular mechanisms of synaptic function disorders
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
569-578
Page views
751
Article views/downloads
917
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2012.31607
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2012;46(6):569-578.
Keywords
lead (Pb)
neurotoxicity
NMDA receptor
BDNF
brain
hippocampus
Authors
Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
Izabela Gutowska
Marta Rybicka
Przemysław Nowacki
Dariusz Chlubek
