PIXE maps of intracellular element distribution in cerebellar neurons

0388232 - ÚJF 2013 RIV SG eng J - Journal Article
Kranda, Karel - Havránek, Vladimír - Purkrtová, Z. - Vožeh, F. - Hájková, L.
PIXE maps of intracellular element distribution in cerebellar neurons.
International journal of PIXE. Roč. 22, 1-2 (2012), s. 65-72. ISSN 0129-0835
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA309/09/1189
Institutional support: RVO:61389005
Keywords : MicroPIXE * 2D-mapping * cerebellum * mutant mice * Purkinje cells * cell death * metan concentration
Subject RIV: BG - Nuclear, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Colliders

Neurodegenerative disorders are accompanied by altered compositions of metals that may convey some information about the health and possibly metabolic state of neurons. Here we opted for PIXE technique to perform a spatially-resolved elemental analysis of intracellular space of individual neurons. Primarily, we measured element distribution within Purkinje cells (PC) of normal and Lurcher (Lc/+) mutant mice to detect any anomalies in concentrations of individual elements attributable to cell death. Lc/+ mutant mice provide an excellent animal model for time-course of excitotoxic cell death. PCs, some with autofluorescence, were scanned with a proton beam to record their X-ray emission and RBS spectra and to construct 2D-concentration maps of individual elements. PCs with auto-fluorescence, presumed to be either already dead or moribund, showed elevated concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn, when compared to healthy PCs. In conclusion, excitotoxic mode of death, as observed in the moribund PCs of Lc/+ cerebellum, may activate enzymatic processes, manifested as increased intracellular concentrations of Cu and Zn that are possibly constituents of some metalloenzyme complexes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0217232