Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that Bcl-2 has a proapoptotic effect on neocarzinostatin (NCS)-treated PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. In the present study, we examine the mechanisms of this effect and demonstrate its relevance for the in vivo situation. Four hours after NCS treatment, a 23-kDa cleavage product of Bcl-2 was detected in whole cell lysates of bcl-2-transfected...

To examine the role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in cell differentiation and neuronal functions, stable transformants of PC12 cells were established that expressed levels of the alpha-subunit of CaMKII (alpha CaMKII) equivalent to mammalian neurons. The expression of the transfected alpha CaMKII gene or the endogenous beta CaMKII gene was monitored by RNase protection...

The PC12 subclone, fnr-PC12 cells, is defective in neurite outgrowth in response to acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF); however, its response to nerve growth factor (NGF) is normal. Examination of the expression of FGF receptors (FGFRs) revealed that although PC12 cells express FGFR-1, -3, and -4, fnr-PC12 cells have a reduced level of expression of FGFR-1 but not FGFR-3 and -4. Transfectio...

Ginsenoside Rb1 shows neuroprotective effects in various neurons, including dopaminergic cells. However, the precise mechanisms of action are uncertain. In this paper, we examine whether Rb1 has a neuroprotective effect on MPP(+)-induced apoptosis and attempt to clarify the signaling pathway in PC12 cells. Apoptosis of PC12 cells was determined by DNA fragmentation assay, the activation of casp...

In order to investigate the effect of sodium ferulate (SF) on voltage-activated K+ channels, the delayed rectifier K+ current (Ik) in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells was recorded using the automated patch-clamp method. The results indicated that following the application of SF, the Ik in PC12 cells was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The analysis of activation kinet...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the influence of low-dose levodopa (L-DOPA) on neuronal cell death under oxidative stress. METHODS PC12 cells were treated with L-DOPA at different concentrations. We detected the L-DOPA induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, MTT and LDH assay were performed to determine the proliferation and growth of PC12 cells with or without ROS scaveng...

We have used cultured PC12 cells and rat sympathetic neurons as model systems to examine the regulation of neuronal cell death and survival. Because nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling in PC12 cells, we tested NO-generating compounds for their ability to protect PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons from death after withdrawal of trophic support. Three such age...

Previous studies have indicated that heavy metal exposure can have an effect on the central nervous system. However, research has been inadequate to fully support this claim. The aim of this work was to determine the toxic effects of heavy metal ions including Fe, Fe, Hg, Mn, Cd, Mg, and Pb on nerve cells (e.g. PC12). PC12 cells were incubated with the metal ions at four concentrations, i.e. 12...

AIM To study the effect of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) ligands on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced death and glutamate release of PC12 cells. METHODS PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol/L of group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxy-phenylglycine (DHPG) or antagonist DL-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (DL-AP3) 1 h before addition of 6-OHDA 100 micromol/L. After incu...

Neuronal PC12 cells induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) have been considered to be postmitotic and lack the ability to divide. However, in this study, we not only detected DNA synthesis but also observed cell division in some morphologically differentiated neuronal PC12 cells bearing long neurites. More interestingly, in addition to the division of perikaryon, the neurites located on the divis...