Protein misfolding induces hypoxic preconditioning via a subset of the unfolded protein response machinery.

Prolonged cellular hypoxia results in energy failure and ultimately cell death. However, less-severe hypoxia can induce a cytoprotective response termed hypoxic preconditioning (HP). The unfolded protein response pathway (UPR) has been known for some time to respond to hypoxia and regulate hypoxic sensitivity; however, the role of the UPR, if any, in HP essentially has been unexplored.

Unique aspects of transcriptional regulation in neurons--nuances in NFkappaB and Sp1-related factors.

The unique physiology and function of neurons create differences in their cellular physiology, including their regulation of gene expression. We began several years ago exploring the relationships between the NFkappaB transcription factor, neuronal survival, and glutamate receptor activation in telencephalic neurons. These studies led us to conclude that this population of cells is nearly incapable of activating the NFkappaB that is nonetheless expressed at reasonable levels.