Chan Yoon Kim
Summary Assignment
Manganese serves as an essential factor in our body. However, excess amount of intake, or even inhale, can be toxic. One way of manganese affecting our body is to regulate the glutamate level in astrocyte, a specific type of Glial cell. Once known as an irrelevance cell in neuronal network, astrocyte makes contact with capillaries and produce a number of neurotrophic substances, which helps the nerves to grow. Not only that, astrocyte plays role in structural support, formation of Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB), and regulation of local blood flow and potassium ion concentration in response to neuronal activity. Astrocyte produces APOE, which have clinical relevance with preventing progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Another important role of astrocyte is to keep neurons survive by regulating synaptic transmission. The process operates by uptaking glutamate presynaptically and postsynaptically. Manganese, as cofactor of glutamine synthetase, down regulates gene expression of glutamate transporter. Conversely, estrogen receptor agonist upregulates gene expression of glutamate
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According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of iron-contaminated drinking water exceeds more than 10% in regions in State Georgia. The next question can be how iron accumulation in astrocyte affect brain cell and how iron and manganese accumulation synergistically damage astrocyte. The research on iron accumulation in astrocyte will be necessary on investigating more accurate daily intake of iron and manganese level. The research provides insight on how different neuron cells act differently substances from other part of our body. Estradiol, the sex hormone, affecting bones is easily understandable but the fact that sex hormones affecting growth factors of neuron is such an astonishing