Swainsonine-induced apoptosis pathway in cerebral cortical neurons.

Abstract

Swainsonine (SW) is an indolizidine alkaloid, and the principal toxic component of the poisonous legume plants Astragalus and Oxytropis sp. Animals that consume the toxic plants show neurologic symptoms. In this study, the cerebral cortical neurons of primary culture were treated for 12h with various concentrations of SW. The [Ca(2+)]i and the protein expression of caspase-3, -8, -9 and -12 were assessed in all experimental groups. In comparison with the control group, [Ca(2+)]i increased significantly in SW-treated groups (P<0.05). SW significantly increased the expression of activated protein caspase-3, -8 and -12 (P<0.05), while caspase-9 did not change (P>0.05). The results suggest that SW induced the apoptosis of neurons through a death receptor pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

• Authors: Hao Lu, Feng Ma, Liang Zhang, Jianguo Wang, Chenchen Wu, Baoyu Zhao
• Journal: Research in veterinary science (Res Vet Sci) Vol. 102 Pg. 34-7 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1532-2661 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26412516 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Caspases
• Swainsonine
• Calcium

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Newborn
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Calcium (metabolism)
• Caspases (genetics, metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cerebral Cortex (cytology)
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (drug effects)
• Neurons (drug effects)
• Rats
• Swainsonine (pharmacology)