Neuroanatomical studies suggest that neuronal atrophy and destruction occur over the course of many years in neurodegenerative conditions such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. In schizophrenia, early intervention with atypical neuroleptics such as olanzapine has been shown to prevent development of some of the more serious and debilitating symptoms in many patients. The mechanisms wher...

The influence of copper (II) ions on the growth, accumulation properties and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of a growing culture of Aspergillus niger B-77 were studied. Microbial growth, the level of copper (II) accumulation and SOD activity depended on the initial copper (II) concentration. Aspergillus niger is able to accumulate large amounts of copper (II) from the nutrient medium with ...

A number of environmental stresses can lead to enhanced production of superoxide within plant tissues, and plants are believed to rely on the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to detoxify this reactive oxygen species. We have identified seven cDNAs and genes for SOD in Arabidopsis. These consist of three CuZnSODs (CSD1, CSD2, and CSD3), three FeSODs (FSD1, FSD2, and FSD3), and one MnSOD (MSD1)....

The toxic effects of Lindane (γ-BHC) on Microcystis aeruginosa were studied under lab culture conditions. Total protein levels, as well malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, in algal cells, determined after exposure to different concentrations Lindane. bioaccumulation Lindane, the influence pH dissolved organic matter (DOM) effects, was also evaluated cell...

Gel filtration chromatography using a Superose 12 HR column gave well-resolved and similar elution patterns for the maize extract, Baxtin and Polbax samples. Fractions exhibiting superoxide dismutase activity, determined by direct KO2 assay, were combined, dialysed and evaporated to dryness. The molecular weight of these fractions was approximately 30000 d. These fractions were also analyzed by...

1. A polarographic assay of superoxide (O2--) dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activity is described, in which the ability of the enzyme to inhibit O2---dependent sulphite oxidation, initiated by xanthine oxidase activity, is measured. The assay was used in a study of the intracellular distribution of superoxide dismutase in rat liver. Both cyanide-sensitive cupro-zinc dismutase (92% of the total activi...

The inactivation and metal depletion of the yeast Cu2,Zn2-superoxide dismutase have been examined in the presence of a number of chelating reagents. Total inactivation and metal depletion occurred only at pH < 3.5. The loss of enzyme activity exhibited biphasic kinetics and was directly related to the rate of loss of copper from the protein. Two rate constants characterized also the dissociatio...

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, superoxide:superoxide reductase, EC 1.15.1.1) activity was studied in 23 strains of Campylobacter spp. using disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Different enzyme patterns were observed with extracts of different species of Campylobacter; three migration bands were found in all strains of C. sputorum subsp. sputorum and C. sputorum subsp. bubulus (relative mobilit...

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that detoxifies superoxide (O2.-), a potentially toxic oxygen-derived species. Attempts to increase intracellular concentrations of SOD by direct application are complicated because SOD, being a relatively large molecule, does not readily cross cell membranes. We have identified a set of stable nitroxides that possess SOD-like activity, have the advantage...