FIND ARTICLE

BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE METALLOTHIONEINS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESSES OF OXIDACTION-REDUCTION IN CELLS, WITH THE PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Metallothioneins (MTs), as the low molecular weight proteins rich in the active thiol groups, whose synthesis and half-life are closely connected with the activity of zinc ions inside the cell, exert a significant influence on the antioxidant capacity of the environment within and outside the cell. MTs influence the trace elements homeostasis, contribute to the gene expression process and demonstrate the anti-apoptotic properties. They have the ability to bind and neutralize exogenous electrophilic compounds.

FUNCTION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN SEED DEVELOPMENT AND GERMINATION

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs in seed not only during stress conditions, but also as a result of physiological processes. ROS are produced in seed in all developmental and germination phases like embryogenesis, including desiccation, seed ageing, imbibition, mobilization of storage reserves and germination manifested in radicle protrusion. Increase in ROS level during early embryogenesis and desiccation may lead to serious damage of embryo’s cells and disturb developmental processes. ROS generated during prolonged storage may promote the inability of seed to germinate.

REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN PLANT CELLS AND ANTIOXIDATIVE DEFENSE SYSTEMS

All organisms are exposed to reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2· –) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) as unavoidable products of oxidative metabolism. Many biotic and abiotic factors such as: pathogens, air pollutants, salts, xenobiotic, heavy metals, UV radiation initiate ROS formation. The main sites of ROS formation in plant cells are chloroplasts, peroxisomes and mitochondria. ROS can cause wide-ranging damage to many macromolecules including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, eventually leading to cell death.

The Editorial Board
Andrzej Łukaszyk - przewodniczący, Zofia Bielańska-Osuchowska, Szczepan Biliński, Mieczysław Chorąży, Aleksander Koj, Włodzimierz Korochoda, Leszek Kuźnicki, Aleksandra Stojałowska, Lech Wojtczak

Editorial address:
Katedra i Zakład Histologii i Embriologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu, ul. Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, tel. +48 61 8546453, fax. +48 61 8546440, email: mnowicki@ump.edu.pl

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