title: Evidence in favour of a role for peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands in amplification of neuronal apoptosis.
abstract: The mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is involved in a functional structure designated as the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore, which controls apoptosis. PBR expression in nervous system has been reported in glial and immune cells. We now show expression of both PBR mRNA and protein, and the appearance of binding of a synthetic ligand fluo-FGIN-1-27 in mitochondria of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). Additionally, the effect of PBR ligands on colchicine-induced apoptosis was investigated. Colchicine-induced neurotoxicity in CGCs was measured at 24 h. We show that, in vitro, PBR ligands 1-(2-chlorophenyl-N-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK11195), 7-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1,4- benzodiazepin-2-one (Ro5-4864) and diazepam (25- 50 microM) enhanced apoptosis induced by colchicine, as demonstrated by viability experiments, flow cytometry and nuclear chromatin condensation. Enhancement of colchicine-induced apoptosis was characterized by an increase in mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and AIF proteins and an enhanced activation of caspase-3, suggesting mitochondrion dependent mechanism that is involved in apoptotic process. Our results indicate that exposure of neural cells to PBR ligands generates an amplification of apoptotic process induced by colchicine and that the MPT pore may be involved in this process.
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Jordà
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verdaguer
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Canudas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Folch
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pallàs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology; D003078:Colchicine / Q000633:toxicity; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008024:Ligands; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008024:Ligands; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C028513:4'-chlorodiazepam; D003975:Diazepam; D003078:Colchicine; C037850:PK 11195