In situ visualization of caspase-1-like activity associated with promotion of hippocampal cell death.
To clarify the function of caspase-1-like proteases in neuronal cell death, it is important to be able to detect the activity in living organs by microscopic visualization. In the present study, we synthesized a novel fluorescent substrate sensitive to the caspase-1-like activity, which is easily introduced into cells constituting living organs by extracellular application. As a result, the substrate was shown to be useful in imaging the caspase-1-like activity in rat hippocampal slice cultures. After induction of cell death with glutamate, a significant increase in the activity was observed, especially in the pyramidal cells, suggesting the association of the activity with promotion of cell death.
Nishii
Wataru
W
School of Life Science, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, 192-0392, Tokyo, Japan.
Shoda
Takuji
T
Matsumoto
Nagisa
N
Nakamura
Takeshi
T
Kudo
Yoshihisa
Y
Takahashi
Kenji
K
D000818:Animals; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016923:Cell Death; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000737:chemistry*
C454919:N(alpha)-5-tetramethylrhodaminyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-Ala-Cys(S-acrylodan); D009842:Oligopeptides; D012235:Rhodamines; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D020170:Caspase 1