title: Norepinephrine transmitter metabolite induces apoptosis in differentiated rat pheochromocytoma cells.
abstract: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde (DOPEGAL) is the monoamine oxidase A metabolite of norepinephrine and epinephrine. DOPEGAL, but not other metabolites, kills differentiated PC-12 cells. However, the type of DOPEGAL induced cell death, whether necrosis or apoptosis, is not known. To determine the type of cell death triggered by DOPEGAL, PC-12 cells cultured in the presence or absence of 30 microM DOPEGAL were examined by electron microscopy and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis for characteristic features of apoptosis. Results indicate that DOPEGAL induces apoptosis in these cells. Implications for degenerative diseases are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University Medical School and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002396:Catechols; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004586:Electrophoresis; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000447:Aldehydes; D002396:Catechols; C007431:3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde; D009638:Norepinephrine