Stimulation of nerve growth factor receptors in PC12 by acetyl-L-carnitine.
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) prevents some deficits associated with aging in the central nervous system (CNS), such as the aged-related reduction of nerve growth factor (NGF) binding. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether ALCAR could affect the expression of an NGF receptor (p75NGFR). Treatment of PC12 cells with ALCAR increased equilibrium binding of 125I-NGF. ALCAR treatment also increased the amount of immunoprecipitable p75NGFR from PC12 cells. Lastly, the level of p75NGFR messenger RNA (mRNA) in PC12 was increased following ALCAR treatment. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that there is a direct action of ALCAR on p75NGFR expression in aged rodent CNS.
Taglialatela
G
G
Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Angelucci
L
L
Ramacci
M T
MT
Werrbach-Perez
K
K
Jackson
G R
GR
Perez-Polo
J R
JR
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D000108:Acetylcarnitine