| Institution: | 1.Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture,Chennai,India;2.Division of Neurophysiology, Entomology Research Institute,Loyola College,Chennai,India;3.Deanship of Scientific Research, College of Science,King Saud University,Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| Abstract: | ObjectivesInvolvement of the outer membrane protein C (OmpC) of Escherichia coli in neurodegeneration was investigated using a mouse model.ResultsOmpC formed protease-resistant fibres that exhibited the diagnostic features of an amyloid. The spectral shift in the Congo Red and the thioflavin T assays produced features similar to neurotoxic peptides. Intramuscular administration of OmpC in mice resulted in spongiform neurodegeneration of the brain through calcium-dependent apoptosis and also showed upregulation of apoptosis related genes. Immunolocalization of OmpC in brain demonstrated the direct involvement of the porin in neurodegeneration and formation of spongiform encephalopathy.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the ability of OmpC of E. coli to induce neurodegeneration in mice. |
