Abstract

INVESTIGATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CYTOSKELETON COMPONENTS WITH NORMAL CELLULAR FUNCTIONS AND INJURIES IN NEURO-DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, USING IN VITRO-, IN VIVO- AND EX VIVOBIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS WITH MOUSE, RAT AND HUMAN ORIGIN

*Iskra Sainova, Ilina Valkova, Bistra Alexieva and Elena Nikolova

Abstract

For a better understanding of the physiological function of cytoskeleton components, several different methods for their quantification and identification were developed and tested. In the concrete study, the main goal was directed to investigation of the importance of these proteins and peptides, as well as of the intra- and extra-cellular interactions between them, for in the normal functions of the tissues and organs, but also of respective abnormalities – for the development of pathological events. Complex biological systems from rat and mouse, but also with human origin for compare with those of both experimental rodent species as appropriate experimental alternatives, were used. In the highly differentiated mature cells in the composition of different tissues and organs, including brain, these abnormalities have been proved as main reason for abnormal functions, leading to development of diseases and disorders on organism level. However, the same injuries in the cytoskeleton components have been suggested as reason for abnormal mitosis in the actively-dividing cells from the same individuals (as different types of undifferentiated leucocytes and their progenitors), subsequently leading to chromosomal aberrations. As one of the key molecules in the intraand extra-cellular inter-molecular interactions by cascade regulatory pathways, in which these elements participate, has been proved the tri-peptide Glutathione, in particular, its reduced form – GSH. In agreement with the literature data, the current results showed variations in the levels of this molecule in varying external conditions. Future investigations on direct and/or indirect influence of these components on the function of other biological molecules by cascade regulatory mechanisms with their participation by intra- and extra-cellular interactions are necessary.

Keywords: cytoskeleton components, cascade regulatory pathways, spontaneous chromosomal fragility, chromosomal aberrations, leucocytes, terminally-differentiated mature cells.