Aluminum promotes neuronal plasticity events in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line.
The effects of aluminum(III) on microtubular meshwork have been investigated using cultured murine neuroblastoma cells grown in a medium containing aluminum lactate at defined metal concentrations (10-20 microM). A role of aluminum(III) in promoting neuronal plasticity events is suggested. These events including sprouting and neurite outgrowth are associated with an increased tyrosine-tubulin (Tyr-Tub) expression, which can be due to the enhanced needs of recently formed, highly dynamic microtubules typical of neuronal plasticity. After 48 and 72 h aluminum exposure, an upregulation of Tyr-Tub expression is detected and this is concentration-dependent. A high amount of Tyr-Tub is observed also in non-treated cells, although later than in aluminum-exposed cells. Thus, it is possible that aluminum(III) accelerates neuronal plasticity events, for which Tyr-Tub is confirmed to be a useful marker.
Farina
V
V
Department of Animal Biology, University of Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, I-07100 Sassari, Italy. vfarina@ssmain.uniss.it
Tapparo
A
A
Zedda
M
M
Gadau
S
S
Lepore
G
G
D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007773:Lactates / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014404:Tubulin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D003470:Culture Media; D007773:Lactates; D009498:Neurotoxins; D014404:Tubulin; C039520:tyrosine-tubulin; D000535:Aluminum; C104223:aluminum lactate