Neuroglobin, 151 amino acid residue protein, mainly expressed in vertebrate brain and retina, is a recently identified member of the globin superfamily. Augmenting O (2) supply, neuroglobin promotes survival of neurons upon hypoxic injury, potentially limiting brain damage. Moreover, neuroglobin may be a novel oxidative stress-responsive sensor for signal transduction in the brain. Neuroglobin expression is increased by neuronal hypoxia in vitro and focal cerebral ischemia in vivo, and neuronal survival after hypoxia is reduced by inhibiting neuroglobin expression with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and enhanced by neuroglobin overexpression.
