Levels of membrane fluidity in the spinal cord and the brain in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Francisco Javier Miana-Mena, Eduardo Piedrafita, Cristina González-Mingot, Pilar Larrodé, María Jesús Muñoz, Enrique Martínez-Ballarín, Russel J. Reiter, Rosario Osta, Joaquín J. García

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

A mutant form of the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein is found in some patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Alteration of the activity of this antioxidant enzyme leads to an oxidative stress imbalance, which damages the structure of lipids and proteins in the CNS. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we monitored membrane fluidity in the spinal cord and the brain in a widely used animal model of ALS, the SODG93A mouse, which develops symptoms similar to ALS with an accelerated course. Our results show that the membrane fluidity of the spinal cord in this animal model significantly decreased in symptomatic animals compared with age-matched littermate controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that membrane fluidity is affected in the spinal cord of a SOD G93A animal model of ALS. Changes in membrane fluidity likely contribute substantially to alterations in cell membrane functions in the nervous tissue from SODG93A mice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-186
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes
Volume43
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Brain
  • G93A
  • Membrane fluidity
  • Oxidative stress
  • SOD
  • Spinal cord

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology

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