Aluminum promotes neuronal plasticity events in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line.

Abstract

The effects of aluminum(III) on microtubular meshwork have been investigated using cultured murine neuroblastoma cells grown in a medium containing aluminum lactate at defined metal concentrations (10-20 microM). A role of aluminum(III) in promoting neuronal plasticity events is suggested. These events including sprouting and neurite outgrowth are associated with an increased tyrosine-tubulin (Tyr-Tub) expression, which can be due to the enhanced needs of recently formed, highly dynamic microtubules typical of neuronal plasticity. After 48 and 72 h aluminum exposure, an upregulation of Tyr-Tub expression is detected and this is concentration-dependent. A high amount of Tyr-Tub is observed also in non-treated cells, although later than in aluminum-exposed cells. Thus, it is possible that aluminum(III) accelerates neuronal plasticity events, for which Tyr-Tub is confirmed to be a useful marker.

• Authors: V Farina, A Tapparo, M Zedda, S Gadau, G Lepore
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 312 Issue 1 Pg. 5-8 (Oct 12 2001) ISSN: 0304-3940 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11578832 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aluminum Compounds
• Culture Media
• Lactates
• Neurotoxins
• Tubulin
• tyrosine-tubulin
• Aluminum
• aluminum lactate

Topics

• Aluminum (toxicity)
• Aluminum Compounds (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects, physiology)
• Central Nervous System (drug effects, metabolism)
• Culture Media
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Gene Expression (drug effects, physiology)
• Lactates (pharmacology)
• Mice
• Microtubules (drug effects, physiology)
• Neurites (drug effects, metabolism, ultrastructure)
• Neuroblastoma
• Neuronal Plasticity (drug effects, physiology)
• Neurons (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Neurotoxins (toxicity)
• Time Factors
• Tubulin (analogs & derivatives, drug effects, metabolism)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (drug effects, physiology)