title: N-methylated beta-carbolines protect PC12 cells from cytotoxic effect of MPP+ by attenuation of mitochondrial membrane permeability change.
abstract: Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore has been recognized to be involved in cell death. The present study investigated the effect of beta-carbolines (harmaline and harmalol) on the MPP(+)-induced change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability and cell death in differentiated PC12 cells. beta-Carbolines and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate or rutin) prevented the loss of cell viability in PC12 cells treated with 250 microM MPP(+), while the effects of N-acetylcysteine and dithiothreitol were not observed. beta-Carbolines reduced the condensation and fragmentation of nuclei caused by MPP(+) in PC12 cells. beta-Carbolines alone did not exhibit a significant cytotoxic effect on PC12 cells. beta-Carbolines (50 microM) inhibited the decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-3, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of GSH caused by MPP(+) in PC12 cells. beta-Carbolines reduced the hydrogen peroxide- or SIN-1-induced cell death in PC12 cells. The results suggest that beta-carbolines may attenuate the MPP(+)-induced viability loss in PC12 cells by inhibition of change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability and by antioxidant effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 156-756, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Tai Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Oh Sang
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Se Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Eun Sook
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Chung Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010539:Permeability; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002243:Carbolines; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D005978:Glutathione; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium