Bcl-2 or bcl-XL gene therapy increases neural plasticity proteins nestin and c-fos expression in PC12 cells

Neurochem Int. 2009 Sep;55(5):349-53. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2009.04.003. Epub 2009 Apr 16.

Abstract

The anti-apoptotic gene replacements could be an option in preventing hypoxia-induced neuronal loss. In this paper we tested the effect of anti-apoptosis (bcl-2 and bcl-XL) gene transfer on cell plasticity. Nestin, synapsin-1 and c-fos genes and proteins expression were measured in PC12 cells in normal condition, and after hypoxia/re-oxygenation. Gene delivery results a significant increase in both bcl-2 and bcl-XL gene expression. Hypoxia (1h)/re-oxygenation (24h) have a detrimental effect upon cultured cells by increasing the pro-apoptotic, bax gene and protein expression. Bcl-2 or bcl-XL gene delivery resulted in a significant increase in and the cellular levels of the corresponding mRNAs and proteins. Bcl-2 gene augmented the nestin gene and protein expression which has been compromised previously by the hypoxic event. Similarly c-fos mRNA and protein expression decreased significantly after hypoxia, while the anti-apoptotic gene treatment normalized c-fos expression. Synapsin-1 gene or protein expression remained about on the same level under normoxic conditions or following hypoxia after gene treatment. We can conclude that anti-apoptotic gene transfers activate neuronal plasticity proteins nestin and c-fos. This link on anti-apoptotic proteins and cell plasticity is a new finding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Genes, fos*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nestin
  • Neuronal Plasticity*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics*

Substances

  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nes protein, rat
  • Nestin
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger
  • bcl-X Protein