Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 modulates cytosolic oxidant activity and contractile function in murine skeletal muscle cells.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity supports production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mammalian cells. In skeletal muscle, endogenous ROS modulate the force of muscle contraction. We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle cells constitutively express the calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) isoform and that iPLA2 modulates both cytosolic oxidant activity and contractile function.

Oxidation of thiol-proteases in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease.

The hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease brain has been shown to be highly oxidized compared to age-matched controls. One of the most sensitive targets of oxidation is anionic sulfur which can be found within the active site of members of the cysteine-protease family. Thus, while members of the cysteine-protease family such as the calpains and caspases have been found to be in an active conformation in vulnerable brain regions in AD it is possible that their proteolytic activity is hampered due to the robust oxidative stress found at these locations.