Activation of caspase-9 and -3 during H2O2-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells independent of ceramide formation

Abstract

The treatment of PCI2 cells with H₂0₂ (100-500 µM) resulted in typical apoptotic changes including fragmentation and condensation of nuclei, and DINA fragmentation observed as DNA ladder. H₂O₂-induced apoptosis was associated with activation of caspase-3 as assessed by cleavage of specific fluorogenic substrate peptide and processing of procaspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, formation of ceramide, which often locates upstream of caspase-3, was not observed. The inhibitory peptide relatively specific for caspase-3, z-DEVD-FMK and non-selective caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK inhibited activation of caspase-3 and apoptotic cell death. However, the relatively specific inhibitors, Ac-YVKD for caspase-1 and Ac-IETD for caspase-8/6, did not affect the occurrence of apoptotic cell death. As an upstream activation of caspase-3, induction of cytochrome c release followed by processing of procaspase-9 was observed by Western blotting, although the formation of intracellular ceramide was not observed. On the other hand, in PCI2 cells overexpressing Bcl-2, the number of apoptotic cells was markedly decreased and activation of both caspases-9 and -3 was prevented. These results suggest that cytochrome c and caspase-9 initiate the activation of executor caspase-3 in H₂O₂-treated PCI2 cells, and that Bcl-2 inhibits H₂O₂-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and then proteolytic processing of procaspase-9. [Neurol Res 2000; 22: 556-564]     

Need for caspase-2 in apoptosis of growth-factor-deprived PC12 cells

Previous studies have shown that caspases (proteases related to interleukin-1β converting enzyme) are needed for the death of trophic factor-deprived PC12 cells. However, the protease involved in this process has not been identified. The results presented here strongly suggest that caspase-2 (Nedd2/Ich-1) plays a major role in the death of serum-deprived PC12 cells. We show that in PC12 cells overexpression of caspase-2 induces cell death, serum deprivation induces processing (i.e., activation) of the 48-kDa pro-caspase-2, and stable expression of caspase-2 antisense RNA inhibits apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. In addition, overexpression of bcl-2, which prevents this death process, also inhibits the processing of pro-caspase-2, suggesting that bcl-2 acts upstream of pro-caspase-2 activation. J. Neurosci. Res. 52:491–497, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Estradiol protects PC12 cells against CoCl2-induced apoptosis

In hypoxic/ischemic conditions, neuronal apoptotic events are occurred, resulting in neuronal diseases. Estradiol is a female sex hormone with steroid structure known to provide neuroprotection through multiple mechanisms in the central nervous system. This study was aimed to investigate the signal transduction pathway leading to the inhibitory effects of estradiol against cobalt chloride (CoCl₂)-mediated hypoxic death in PC12 cells. Estradiol inhibits CoCl₂-induced cell death with genomic DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes such as cell shrinkage and condensed nuclei. Pre-incubation of estradiol prior to CoCl₂ treatment attenuated CoCl₂-mediated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and limited the activities of the caspase cascades, such as caspase-8, -9 and -3. Furthermore, estradiol downregulated the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and decreased the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol in CoCl₂-treated cells, indicating that estradiol affect on mitochondrial pathway. Estradiol attenuated also CoCl₂-induced upregulation of Fas-ligand (Fas-L) and truncated of Bid in sequence of death receptor-mediated pathway. In addition, estradiol increased the phosphorylation of Akt in CoCl₂-treated cells, demonstrating that estradiol has no affect on upstream signaling through the PI3K/Akt in inhibition of CoCl₂-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.Taken together, estradiol was found to have a neuroprotective effect against CoCl₂-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells by the attenuating ROS production and the modulating apoptotic signal pathway through Bcl-2 family, cytochrome c, Fas/Fas-L as well as PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis in cerebellar granule cells

Caspase-3 activity increased dramatically in cytosolic extracts of rat cerebellar granule cells exposed to apoptotic conditions (basal medium Eagle (BME) containing 5 mM K⁺ without serum) when assayed with Ac-DEVD-amc,but not with Ac-YVAD-afc, a preferred substrate for caspase-1. This provided a basis to examine relationships between enzyme activity and cell viability for purposes of selecting an optimal time for comparing neuroprotective agents or strategies. Exposure of neurons to an apoptotic medium containing 5 mM K⁺ in absence of serum led to a rapid 5- to 10-fold increase in caspase-3 within 2-4 hr but without significant cell loss, or morphological alterations. Exposure to apoptotic medium followed by replacement with maintenance medium containing 25 mM K⁺and serum led to a rapid fall in caspase-3 and prevention of cell death. This strategy was not effective after 13 hr exposure despite a large fall in enzyme activity. These temporal changes infer systems for rapid enzyme turnover and/or activation of cytoplasmic components linked to later DNA degradation. The effects of cycloheximide point to requirements for protein synthesis, and those of Glu exclude a caspase-3 dependent pathway for necrotic cell damage. Brief treatment with 10 μM LIGA₂₀, an anti-necrotic agent, also attenuated cell loss and caspase-3 activity, indicating a broad spectrum of neuroprotection. Rapid and long-lasting effects, together with its biophysical properties, suggest that this semisynthetic ganglioside acted upstream at or near a membrane site. As such, gangliosides provide useful agents to further probe pathways relevant to neuronal death in culture. J. Neurosci. Res. 52:334–341, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ribozyme-mediated inhibition of caspase-3 activity reduces apoptosis induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in PC12 cells

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a neurotoxin used in the induction of experimental Parkinson's disease in both animals and PC12 cells, which are derived from rat pheochromocytoma tumors and have many properties similar to dopamine neurons. Biochemical and molecular approaches have shown that low doses of 6-OHDA induce apoptosis in PC12 cells and, in the processing of apoptosis, caspases are crucial mediators, and caspase inhibition is sufficient to rescue PC12 cells from apoptosis induced by 6-OHDA. However, because this caspase inhibition targets multiple caspases, it is not known whether a single caspase is primarily responsible for effecting cell death in this model. To assess the particular member (caspase-3) of the ced-3 family relevant to cell death and to position their activation within the apoptotic pathway, we constructed a hammerhead ribozyme directed against rat caspase-3, which could downregulate the expression of caspase-3 in vitro and in vivo, and transfer to PC12 cells. The results show that the ribozymes against caspase-3 could protect PC12 cells from apoptosis induced by low doses of 6-OHDA. The PC12 cell transfected with the ribozymes shows a significant decrease in caspase-3 activity compared with control cells at various time points. Parallel to the reduced caspase-3 protease activity, similar decreased levels of apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation were also assessed by staining with Hoechst 33258 and ELISA, respectively. Overexpression of p35, a general caspase inhibitor, also protected PC12 cells from apoptosis. These results confirm that caspases play an important role in 6-OHDA-induced PC12 cell apoptosis and indicate that caspase-3 itself is one of the crucial mediators of neurotoxin-induced PC12 cell apoptosis.     

MicroRNA let-7e regulates the expression of caspase-3 during apoptosis of PC12 cells following anoxia/reoxygenation injury

This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of action of microRNA (miR) let-7e in PC12 cells undergoing apoptosis following anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury. The putative binding site of let-7e in the 3' UTR of caspase-3 (Casp3) mRNA was analyzed using the miRanda algorithm. Precursor let-7e (pre-miRNA), let-7e miR and anti-let-7e oligonucleotides were transfected into PC12 cells, which were then subjected to A/R injury. The levels of Casp3 mRNA and let-7e miRNA, the total protein levels of Casp3, Casp8 and Casp9 and levels of cellular apoptosis were measured. It was found that let-7e expression in PC12 cells was decreased, whereas the expression of Casp3 was significantly increased after A/R injury. The transfection of pre-miRNA or let-7e miR into PC12 cells decreased Casp3 expression levels and cellular apoptosis following A/R injury, while co-transfection of anti-let-7e strikingly alleviated the effects of let-7e miR. These results indicate that let-7e may protect PC12 cells against apoptosis following A/R injury by negatively regulating the expression of Casp3.     

Involvement of caspase-3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in cobalt chloride-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Our previous study showed that cobalt chloride (CoCl2) could induce PC12 cell apoptosis and that the CoCl2-treated PC12 cells may serve as a simple in vitro model for the study of the mechanism of hypoxia-linked neuronal disorders. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of CoCl2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. Caspases are known to be involved in the apoptosis induced by various stimuli in many cell types. To investigate the involvement of caspases in CoCl2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, we generated PC12 cells that stably express the viral caspases inhibitor gene p35 and analyzed the effect of p35 on the process of apoptosis induced by CoCl2. We also examined the effect of cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of caspases. The results showed that the baculovirus p35 gene and the general caspases inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK significantly block apoptosis induced by CoCl2, confirming that caspase is involved in CoCl2-induced apoptosis. Further investigation showed that in this process the caspase-3-like activity is increased, as indicated by the cells' ability to cleave the fluorogenic peptide substrate Ac-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-7-AMC and to degrade the DNA-repairing enzyme poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an endogenous caspase-3 substrate. At the same time, caspase-3-specific inhibitors, namely, the peptide Ac-DEVD-CHO, Ac-DEVD-FMK, partially inhibit CoCl2-induced apoptosis. These findings suggested that caspase-3 or caspase-3-like proteases are involved in the apoptosis induced by CoCl2 in PC12 cells. Additionally, we have observed that another apoptotic marker, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), is significantly activated in this process in a time-dependent manner and that a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, partially inhibits this cell death. The addition of SB203580 also partially suppresses caspase-3-like activity. All these results confirm that the CoCl2-treated PC12 cell is a useful in vitro model with which to study hypoxia-linked neuronal disorders. Furthermore, the results showing that the baculovirus p35 gene and caspase inhibitors possess a remarkable ability to rescue PC12 cells from CoCl2-induced cell death may have implications for future neuroprotective therapeutic approaches for the hypoxia-associated disorders.     

Effects of CDNF on 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via modulation of Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3 activation

Progressive dopamine neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta is considered the most prominent pathological characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Currently, there is no cure, but only the capability to relieve the symptoms of PD. The conserved dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) protects and rescues dopamine neurons in vivo. However, the molecular function of CDNF in PD remains unclear. In present study, we investigated the role and intrinsic mechanism of CDNF in preventing and reversing rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells from apoptosis induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We demonstrate that 6-OHDA induces cell death in PC12 cells, but that CDNF attenuates this effect in a dose-dependent manner. Further study shows that upregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and downregulation of caspase-3 activity are observed in a dose-dependent manner upon pre-treatment or post-treatment with CDNF, suggesting a pathway of regulation of apoptosis by CDNF. These data demonstrate that CDNF prevents the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by 6-OHDA by modulating Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3 activation.     

Protective effect of BAG5 on MPP+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Abstract

Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in humans, and an abundance of evidence has implicated apoptosis signaling pathways in the neurodegeneration of PD. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated athanogene 5 (BAG5) protein, which was previously confirmed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, in the regulation of apoptosis induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP⁺) in PC12 cells.

Methods: PC12 cells were treated with MPP⁺ for 48 hours to induce apoptosis, and activation of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and caspase 3 was measured by western blot.

Results: The upregulation of BAG5 in PC12 cells inhibited apoptosis and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, after MPP⁺ treatment. In addition, downregulation of BAG5 in PC12 cells enhanced apoptosis and decreased the expression of these proteins after MPP⁺ treatment.

Discussion: The data suggest that BAG5 inhibits MPP⁺-induced apoptosis through both endogenous and mitochondria-mediated pathways of apoptosis. Through this mechanism, the upregulation of BAG5 levels may occur through its anti-apoptotic activity in PD.     

3aicalin inhibits colistin sulfate-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells

Baicalin, a type of flavonoid extracted from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis georgi, has been shown to effectively inhibit cell apoptosis. Therefore, we assumed that baicalin would suppress colistin sulfate-induced neuronal apoptosis. PC12 cells exposed to colistin sulfate （62.5-500 μg/mL） for 24 hours resulted in PCl2 cell apoptosis. In addition, caspase-3 activity, lactate dehydrogenase level and free radical content increased in a dose-dependent manner. Subsequently, PC12 cells were pretreated with baicalin （25, 50 and 100 pg/mL）, and exposed to 125 pg/mL colistin sulfate. Cell morphology markedly changed, and cell viability increased. Moreover, caspase-3 activity, lac- tate dehydrogenase level and free radical content decreased. Results indicated that baicalin inhib- ited colistin sulfate-induced PC12 cell apoptosis by suppressing free radical injury, and reducing caspase-3 activity and lactate dehydrogenase activity.     

磷酸化蛋白酪氨酸激酶及信号转导子和转录激活子在谷氨酸诱导的PC12细胞凋亡中的表达研究

目的探讨谷氨酸诱导PC12细胞凋亡后磷酸化蛋白酪氨酸激酶2（P-JAK2）、磷酸化信号转导子与转录激活子3（P-STAT3）表达的变化及意义。方法采用谷氨酸诱导PC12细胞发生凋亡，实验分为6组，分别为正常对照组、500μmol／L谷氨酸作用5、10、20、30、60min组，应用流式细胞仪观察PC12细胞凋亡．Western blot定量观测PC12细胞P-JAK2与P-STAT3蛋白表达的变化。结果对照组PC12细胞的凋亡率为（2．71±0．32）％；经500μmol／L谷氨酸作用PC12细胞20min，凋亡率增加到（61．20±4．60）％，与对照组相比差异有显著性意义（P=0．000）；Westem blot检测结果表明P-JAK 25 min在胞浆中开始表达，20min达最高峰，是5min组（3．52±0．20）倍（P=0．002）；P-STAT35min表达增强，30min达高峰，为5min组的（4．76±0．17）倍（P=0．000）。结论细胞损伤激活了JAK／STAT信号转导通路，该通路参与了神经细胞凋亡的过程。     

肝细胞生长因子对过氧化氢诱导肝细胞凋亡的影响

背景：肝细胞生长因子对多种细胞具有保护作用。 目的：观察肝细胞生长因子对过氧化氢诱导肝细胞凋亡的保护作用及其机制。 方法：采用人LO2肝细胞系,随机分成3组：正常对照组为正常培养的LO2细胞;模型组加入100 mmol/L过氧化氢作用LO2细胞4 h;肝细胞生长因子组加入50 mg/L 肝细胞生长因子预处理LO2细胞24 h,再加入100 mmol/L过氧化氢继续培养4 h后处理细胞。 结果与结论：体外培养的LO2细胞经100 mmol/L过氧化氢作用4 h后,LO2细胞可出现明显的凋亡现象,表现为细胞存活率降低(P < 0.01),Caspase-3蛋白表达增加(P < 0.01),Bcl-2蛋白表达降低(P < 0.01)。给予质量浓度50 mg/L 肝细胞生长因子预处理24 h后再加入100 mmol/L过氧化氢继续培养4 h,LO2细胞的凋亡被显著抑制(P < 0.01),说明肝细胞生长因子可通过增加LO2细胞Bcl-2的表达来抑制过氧化氢诱导的LO2细胞凋亡。     

Role and mechanism of microRNA-21 in H2O2-induced apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

microRNA-21 (miR-21) contributes to anti-apoptosis, proliferation and migration in many cells, but its role in inhibiting apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of miR-21 in H₂O₂-induced BMSC apoptosis. We used quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to demonstrate the level of miR-21 after treatment of BMSC with H₂O₂. BMSC apoptosis was induced by different concentrations of H₂O₂ and was decreased in miR-21-upregulated cells. The expression of PTEN, a functional target gene of miR-21 in BMSC, was regulated by miR-21. The RT-PCR results indicated that miR-21 was significantly up-regulated, and western blot analysis indicated that Bcl-2 was up-regulated, whereas the apoptosis-related genes caspase 3/9 and Bax were down-regulated in miR-21-up-regulated cells. The miR-21-up-regulated cells had significantly enhanced Akt phosphorylation, as measured by western blot analysis. LY294002, an inhibitor of Akt activation, abolished the protective effects of miR-21-up-regulated cells. These results suggest that miR-21 contributes to inhibition of apoptosis in BMSC by down-regulating PTEN, potentially via the PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Toxic effects of MPP and MPTP in PC12 cells independent of reactive oxygen species formation

MPTP is a toxin presumed to damage dopamine-secreting neurons by an oxygen free radical-mediated mechanism. Two steps in MPTP metabolism are the primary candidates for oxygen free radical generation: (a) MPTP oxidation to MPP(+) by a monoamine oxidase and (b) NADH dehydrogenase inhibition by MPP(+). In order to test the idea that MPTP toxicity is mediated by oxygen free radicals, we assessed lipid peroxidation and the effects of antioxidants in dopaminergic PC12 cells treated with MPTP or MPP(+). For comparison purposes, we also examined the effects of the pro-oxidant tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP) and of the dopaminergic toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in PC12 cells. MPTP and MPP(+), unlike TBHP, failed to induce lipid peroxidation in PC12 cells after a 4-h exposure. All toxins tested (MPTP, MPP(+), TBHP and 6-OHDA) caused a dose-dependent decrease in [(3)H]dopamine ((3)H-DA) uptake in PC12 cultures. The hydroperoxide scavengers glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine and the superoxide and peroxide scavenger EUK-134 protected PC12 cells from TBHP- and 6-OHDA-induced decrease in (3)H-DA uptake. However, no protection by these antioxidants at various concentrations and time regimens was observed against MPTP- or MPP(+)-induced decreases in (3)H-DA uptake in PC12 cells. In addition, incubation of PC12 cells with the energy-rich substrate, NADH, attenuated MPP(+)-induced decrease in (3)H-DA uptake. These results suggest that MPTP-induced toxicity in dopaminergic PC12 cell cultures, does not involve oxygen free radical production, but rather may be caused by impairment in energy metabolism.     

Olanzapine and quetiapine protect PC12 cells from beta-amyloid peptide(25-35)-induced oxidative stress and the ensuing apoptosis

We previously found that the atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone reduce PC12 cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide, N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion, or beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(25-35)). Such neurotoxic substances have in common the capability of causing oxidative stress. Atypical APDs have been used in treating schizophrenia and in treating psychotic symptoms of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which Abeta is involved by causing oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that atypical APDs might alleviate oxidative stress in PC12 cells, thus protecting them from apoptosis. PC12 cells were seeded in plates or chambers for 24 hr and cultured for another 24 hr with olanzapine or quetiapine in the medium, and then the cells were cultured in the new medium containing Abeta(25-35) and/or olanzapine, quetiapine, but not serum, for various periods. It was shown that cultures treated with olanzapine + Abeta(25-35), or quetiapine + Abeta(25-35), had significantly higher cell viabilities and lower rates of apoptosis compared with the cultures exposed only to Abeta(25-35). In addition, the drugs blocked the activation of caspase-3 caused by Abeta(25-35). Furthermore, olanzapine and quetiapine prevented Abeta(25-35)-induced overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, Abeta(25-35)-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and Abeta(25-35)-induced changes in activities of the key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. In consideration of the wealth of evidence linking oxidative stress to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and AD, these findings give us a new insight into the therapeutic actions of atypical antipsychotics in patients with the disorders.     

Prostaglandin D2 synthase induces apoptosis in PC12 neuronal cells

Apoptosis of neuronal cells is a proposed cause of certain neurological disorders. Here, we report on a 5- to 6-fold increase in apoptosis by exposure to prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGD2S) in PC12 neuronal cells. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and appears to be mediated via caspase-3 activation. Neutralization with anti-PGD2S antibody or pre-treatment with selenium, which inhibits PGD2S enzymatic activity, both significantly inhibited the PGD2S-induced apoptosis, however, neither had any effect on the apoptosis induced by the known neuronal apoptotic inducer, glutamate. In addition, prostaglandins E1, E2, and F2alpha all inhibited the PGD2S-induced apoptosis while prostaglandin H2 had no significant effect. Furthermore, PGD2S isolated from human serum was more effective at inducing apoptosis then recombinantly expressed protein, presumably due to glycosylation. This novel role of PGD2S, as an inducer of apoptosis, may have implications in PC12 differentiation and possibly some neurological disorders.     

14-3-3蛋白在PC12细胞的分布及MPP+对其表达的影响

目的探讨14-3-3蛋白在PC12细胞中的分布及其与MPP 诱导PC12细胞死亡的关系。方法用免疫荧光染色检测14-3-3蛋白的分布,并分别用免疫印迹技术与MTT法检测MPP ,对14-3-3蛋白表达及细胞活力的影响。结果PC12细胞中β、γ、ε、ζ、η和θ亚型免疫反应阳性。14-3-3蛋白表达随着MPP 处理的时间延长呈下降趋势,在6h变化不明显,12h显著下降(P<0.05),到48h后14-3-3蛋白的减少极其显著(P<0.01)。PC12细胞的存活率也呈现同样的变化趋势。结论MPP 引起PC12细胞的死亡可能与细胞内14-3-3蛋白含量的下降有关。     

p38 MAPK、Caspase-s介导PTH诱导PC12细胞凋亡机制的研究

目的甲状旁腺激素(PTH1-34)对PC12细胞作用和p38MAPK、Caspase-s在PTH1-34对PC12细胞凋亡中作用机制。方法应用CCK-8法测定PTH对PC12细胞生长抑制率,通过细胞形态学、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和流式细胞仪方法检测细胞损伤,RT-PCR测定p38 mRNA的表达,通过Western blot检测细胞中p38磷酸化丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)及caspase-3蛋白的变化。结果 CCK-8法测定PTH抑制PC12细胞生长;透射电镜可见细胞核呈固缩状、凋亡小体出现等典型的凋亡形态学改变;流式细胞仪可见细胞凋亡率增多;LDH渗出量增多等。PTH1-34可明显上调p38 mRNA的表达,并可明显地促进PC12细胞磷酸化p38MAPK与Caspase-3的蛋白表达。结论 PTH可诱导PC12细胞凋亡,p38MAPK和Caspase-s共同介导参与PTH致PC12细胞凋亡。     

Signaling pathways involved in Ca2+- and Pb2+-induced vesicular catecholamine release from rat PC12 cells

Since Pb(2+) substitutes for Ca(2+) in essential steps leading to exocytosis, we have investigated whether Ca(2+) and Pb(2+) induce exocytosis through similar pathways. Vesicular catecholamine release was measured from dexamethasone-differentiated PC12 cells using carbon fiber microelectrode amperometry. Effects of drugs known to modulate PKC (PMA, staurosporine), calcineurin (cyclosporin A), calmodulin (W7), and CaM kinase II (KN-62) activity were investigated in intact and in ionomycin-permeabilized PC12 cells. Activation of PKC and inhibition of calmodulin decrease the frequency of exocytotic events evoked by high K(+) stimulation in intact cells. In addition, inhibition of calmodulin enhances the frequency of basal exocytosis from intact cells. Activation of PKC and inhibition of calcineurin enhance the frequency of basal exocytosis in intact as well as in ionomycin-permeabilized cells. Inhibition of PKC and of CaM kinase II cause no significant effects. None of the treatments has a significant effect on vesicle contents. The combined results indicate that PKC and calcineurin enhance and inhibit exocytosis through direct effects on the exocytotic machinery, whereas calmodulin and CaM kinase II exert indirect effects only. Conversely, Pb(2+)-evoked exocytosis in permeabilized cells is strongly reduced by inhibition of CaM kinase II, but is not sensitive to modulation of PKC and calcineurin activity. Inhibition of calmodulin only reduces the delay to onset of Pb(2+)-evoked exocytosis. Synaptotagmin I- and II-deficient PC12-F7 cells exhibit vesicular catecholamine release following depolarization or superfusion with Pb(2+). However, the frequency of exocytosis and the contents of vesicles released are strongly reduced as compared to PC12 cells. It is concluded that Ca(2+)-evoked exocytosis is modulated mainly by PKC and calcineurin, whereas Pb(2+)-evoked exocytosis is mainly modulated by CaM kinase II.     

6-OHDA诱导PC12细胞凋亡及作用机制

目的 探讨6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)诱导PC12细胞损伤的可能作用机制.方法 不同剂量6-OHDA加入培养的大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤细胞(pheochromocytoma cell,PC12)24h后,用四甲基偶氮唑盐法(MTT法)检测细胞的活力,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率以及Bax、Bcl-2的蛋白表达.结果 在加入不同浓度的6-OHDA时PC12细胞活力显著下降,细胞凋亡百分率对照组为8.73±1.09,不同浓度的6-OHDA处理组显著上升,分别为10.97±1.52、25.77±0.95、57.94±1.23,较对照组有显著性差异(P<0.01),并且Bcl-2蛋白表达下降,Bax蛋白表达上升,Bcl-2/Bax比值和正常组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01).结论 6-OHDA能显著诱导PC12细胞损伤,并呈剂量依赖性,其作用机制涉及到促进细胞内bax,以及抑制Bcl-2的表达.