Proteomics
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Comparative Study
Inhaled anesthetics elicit region-specific changes in protein expression in mammalian brain.
Inhaled anesthetics bind specifically to many proteins in the mammalian brain. Within the subgroup of proteins whose activity is substantially modulated by anesthetic binding, it is reasonable to expect anesthetic-induced alterations in host expression level. Thus, in an attempt to define the group of functional targets for these commonly used drugs, we examined changes in protein expression after anesthetic exposure in both intact rodent brains and in neuronal cell culture. ⋯ Small changes in protein expression were elicited by both drugs. Despite the fact that anesthetics produce profound changes in neurobiology and behavior, we found only minor changes in brain protein expression. A pronounced degree of regional selectivity was noted, indicating an under appreciated degree of specificity for these promiscuous drugs.