Minocycline-induced activation of tetracycline-responsive promoter.
Minocycline has been suggested to be an anti-apoptotic compound and an anti-inflammatory agent in various models of neurodegeneration. In the present study, using a stable cell line expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter, we demonstrate that minocycline is able to promote tetracycline-controlled gene expression although it needs longer time and higher concentration to reach the effect obtained with the classical inducer doxycycline. Furthermore, the extinction of the system after antibiotics removal is faster when using minocycline. Interestingly, minocycline displays lower cytotoxicity than doxycycline. It is thus tempting to speculate that combining the intrinsic neuroprotective activity of minocycline with its ability to induce tetracycline-regulatable promoters would be greatly beneficial for neuroprotective/neurorestaurative gene therapy.
Chtarto
Abdelwahed
A
Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery, CP602, U.L.B.-Erasme, Batiment C, niveau 6, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
Tenenbaum
Liliane
L
Velu
Thierry
T
Brotchi
Jacques
J
Levivier
Marc
M
Blum
David
D
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008911:Minocycline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013752:Tetracycline; D008911:Minocycline