Inhibition of the cdk5/MEF2 pathway is involved in the antiapoptotic properties of calpain inhibitors in cerebellar neurons

Verdaguer, E; Alvira, D; Jimenez, A; Rimbau, V; Camins, A; Pallas, M

Abstract

1 Experimental data implicate calpain activation in the pathways involved in neuronal apoptosis. Indeed, calpain inhibitors confer neuroprotection in response to various neurotoxic stimuli. However, the pathways involved in calpain activation-induced apoptosis are not well known. 2 We demonstrate that apoptosis (40%) induced by serum/potassium (S/K) withdrawal on cerebellar granule cells (CGNs) is inhibited by selective calpain inhibitors PD150606 (up to 15%) and PD151746 (up to 29%), but not PD145305 in CGNs. zVAD-fmk, a broad spectrum inhibitor of caspases, attenuates apoptosis (up to 20%) mediated by S/K deprivation and protects against cell death, as measured by MTT ([3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium]) assay. 3 PD150606 and PD151746 prevented apoptosis mediated by S/K withdrawal through inhibition of calpain. Furthermore, PD151746 was able to inhibit caspase-3 activity. 4 After S/K withdrawal, we observed an increase in cdk5/p25 formation and MEF2 phosphorylation that was prevented by 40 mu M PD150606 and PD151746. This indicates that calpain inhibition may be an upstream molecular target that prevents neuronal apoptosis in vitro. 5 Taken together, these data suggest an apoptotic route in S/K withdrawal in CGNs mediated by calpain activation, cdk5/p25 formation and MEF2 inhibition. Calpain inhibitors may attenuate S/K withdrawal-induced apoptosis and may provide a potential therapeutic target for drug treatment in a neurodegenerative process.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000231722000012 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
Volumen: 145
Número: 8
Editorial: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Fecha de publicación: 2005
Página de inicio: 1103
Página final: 1111
DOI:

10.1038/sj.bjp.0706280

Notas: ISI