Cellular mechanisms of copper neurotoxicity in human, differentiated neurons.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element involved in fundamental physiological processes in the human body. Even slight disturbances in the physiological Cu homeostasis are associated with the manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases. While suggesting a crucial role of Cu in the pathogenesis, the exact mechanisms of Cu neurotoxicity involved in the onset and progression of neurological diseases are far from understood.

Establishment of a nonradioactive DNA ligation assay and its applications in murine tissues.

As final process of every DNA repair pathway, DNA ligation is crucial for maintaining genomic stability and preventing DNA strand breaks to accumulate. Therefore, a method reliably assessing DNA ligation capacity in protein extracts from murine tissues was aimed to establish. To optimize applicability, the use of radioactively labeled substrates was avoided and replaced by fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides.

Long-term suboptimal dietary trace element supply does not affect trace element homeostasis in murine cerebellum.

The ageing process is associated with alterations of systemic trace element (TE) homeostasis increasing the risk, e.g. neurodegenerative diseases.

Mechanistic studies on the adverse effects of manganese overexposure in differentiated LUHMES cells.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element, but overexposure is associated with toxicity and neurological dysfunction. Accumulation of Mn can be observed in dopamine-rich regions of the brain in vivo and Mn-induced oxidative stress has been discussed extensively. Nevertheless, Mn-induced DNA damage, adverse effects of DNA repair, and possible resulting consequences for the neurite network are not yet characterized.

Characterizing effects of excess copper levels in a human astrocytic cell line with focus on oxidative stress markers.

Background: Being an essential trace element, copper is involved in diverse physiological processes. However, excess levels might lead to adverse effects. Disrupted copper homeostasis, particularly in the brain, has been associated with human diseases including the neurodegenerative disorders Wilson and Alzheimer's disease.