Over expression of ATF-3 protects rat hippocampal neurons from in vivo injection of kainic acid.
ATF-3 is a member of the ATF superfamily of transcription factors and is strongly associated with episodes of cellular stress. We demonstrate an association between increases in ATF-3 protein and resistance to exitotoxic cell death in vivo. Intra-hippocampal injection of kainic acid elicited a robust increase in endogenous ATF-3 within kainate-resistant cells of the dentate gyrus, while overexpression of exogenous ATF-3 was found to protect vulnerable CA3 neurons from the same insult. These results suggest a positive contribution to neuronal survival in the context of stress-induced death, and support an anti-apoptotic role for ATF-3 in the brain.
Francis
Jeremy S
JS
Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand.
Dragunow
Michael
M
During
Matthew J
MJ
D051700:Activating Transcription Factor 3; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000235:genetics; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007608:Kainic Acid; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology
D051700:Activating Transcription Factor 3; C497108:Atf3 protein, rat; D014157:Transcription Factors; D007608:Kainic Acid