NMDA-dependent NGF mRNA expression by human astrocytoma cells is mediated by nitric oxide.
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NO-cGMP pathway in NMDA-induced NGF mRNA expression by T67 astrocytoma cells. Levels of nitrite, a breakdown product of NO, in supernatants of NMDA-treated astrocytoma cells were significantly higher compared with control cells, this effect being reversed by the specific NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Furthermore, NGF mRNA expression was induced by NMDA treatment, this effect being inhibited by pretreating cells with L-NAME. Moreover, methylene blue, an inhibitor of NO biological activity at guanylate cyclase level, inhibited NMDA-induced NGF mRNA expression and this effect was reversed by dbt2-cGMP. These findings suggest that NO-cGMP pathway mediates the synthesis of NGF mRNA.
Persichini
T
T
Department of Biology, Ill University of Rome, Italy.
Colasanti
M
M
Mollace
V
V
Nisticò
G
G
Ramacci
M T
MT
Lauro
G M
GM
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D006801:Humans; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D015335:Molecular Probes; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009573:Nitrites; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D016202:N-Methylaspartate