title: Overexpression of DSCR1 blocks zinc-induced neuronal cell death through the formation of nuclear aggregates.
abstract: The Down syndrome (DS) candidate region gene 1 (DSCR1) is localized near DS critical region on chromosome 21 and is overexpressed in the brains of DS patients. Although DSCR1 was known for a modulator of calcineurin, the overexpression of DSCR1 is thought to play a role in neuronal cell death. Zinc, one of the most abundant transition metals in the brain, may also contribute to selective neuronal cell death when present in excessive amounts. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DSCR1 overexpression on zinc-induced cell death in hippocampal neuroprogenitor cells. The overexpression of DSCR1 caused apoptotic cell death without an apparent formation of intracellular protein inclusions. Upon exposure to zinc, soluble DSCR1 levels were significantly decreased and insoluble levels were enhanced to a similar extent, which were partially caused by the zinc-induced inhibition of proteasomal activity and a consequently diminished degradation of DSCR1. Furthermore, zinc treatment induced the formation of nuclear DSCR1 aggregates, which blocked zinc-induced cell death. These findings indicate that, although the up-regulation of DSCR1 levels exerts a cytotoxic effect, the addition of zinc leads to the formation of cytoprotective nuclear aggregates in neuronal cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Yonsei University, Shinchon-dong 134, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Su Ryeon
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Kwang Chul
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000378:metabolism; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D011725:Pyridines / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013871:Thiones / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; C108612:RCAN1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013871:Thiones; C008704:pyrithione; D019703:Calcineurin; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D015032:Zinc