Redox metabolism
The cytosolic redox state of brain cells depends mainly on the ratios of the oxidised and reduced partners of the three redox pairs NADH/NAD+, NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG. The NADH/NAD+ pair is predominately in the oxidised state to accept electrons that are produced during glycolysis. In contrast, the redox pairs NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG are mainly in the reduced state under unstressed conditions to provide electrons for reductive biosyntheses and antioxidative processes, respectively. We are studying for brain cells the metablic oxidation processes that are delivering electrons to the cellular redox pairs as well as the enzymes and pathways that make use of the electrons provided by the cellular electron donors GSH, NADH and NADPH.
Recent publications
P. Watermann, C. Arend, R. Dringen (2023)
G6PDi-1 is a potent inhibitor of G6PDH and of pentose phosphate pathway-dependent metabolic processes in cultured primary astrocytes.
Neurochem. Res. 48, 3177-3189.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-023-03964-2
P. Watermann, R. Dringen (2023)
β-lapachone-mediated WST1 reduction as indicator for the cytosolic redox metabolism of cultured primary astrocytes.
Neurochem. Res. 48, 2148-2160.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-023-03878-z
E. Ehrke, J. Steinmeier, K. Stapelfeldt, R. Dringen (2021)
The menadione-mediated WST1 reduction by cultured astrocytes depends on NQO1 activity and cytosolic glucose metabolism.
Neurochem. Res. 46, 88-99.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-019-02930