Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.
The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is present in many regions of the adult and developing brain as are receptors for PACAP. PACAP stimulates different signalling cascades in neurons, involving cAMP, MAP kinase, and calcium. These characteristics suggest that PACAP may influence neuronal development. Here we have studied the effects of PACAP on mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons using primary cultures from embryonic rats. PACAP increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons, elevated TH protein, and enhanced tritiated dopamine uptake in these cultures. Moreover, PACAP counteracted the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine treatments, which induce cell death of dopaminergic neurons. In situ hybridisation showed that both PACAP and PACAP receptor type 1 are present in developing and adult rat mesencephalon. These results show that PACAP has a neurotrophic action on dopaminergic neurons and partially protects them against 6-OHDA induced neurotoxicity.
Takei
N
N
Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Skoglösa
Y
Y
Lindholm
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016627:Oxidopamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; D016627:Oxidopamine; D004298:Dopamine