Increased plasma levels of 20S proteasome alpha-subunit in glaucoma patients: an observational pilot study

Mol Vis. 2002 Nov 12:8:431-5.

Abstract

Purpose: Several reports have shown that proteasome levels may change during pathological processes. Here we investigated whether altered gene expression of the alpha-subunit of 20S proteasomes in leukocytes of glaucoma patients at the level of mRNA, shown by us earlier, is reflected by the level of protein synthesis.

Methods: Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein levels of the 20S proteasome alpha-subunit in leukocytes of 12 glaucoma patients (6 HTG and 6 NTG) and 6 healthy controls.

Results: Plasma levels of the 20S proteasome alpha-subunit showed a 3.4+/-0.47 (mean+/-SD; p<0.0001) fold increase in glaucoma patients when compared to healthy controls. In addition, normal tension glaucoma patients revealed a more pronounced alpha-subunit expression (p<0.05) when compared to patients with high tension glaucoma.

Conclusions: During the pathological process of glaucoma, proteasome protein levels increase. This indicates that proteasome protein levels may be a diagnostic or eventually a prognostic marker for glaucomatous damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / blood*
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / blood*
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / enzymology*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / enzymology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multienzyme Complexes / blood*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Eye Proteins
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex