A neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A2 induces apoptosis in motoneuron-like cells.
Ammodytoxin A (AtxA) is a presynaptically neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A(2) from snake venom. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of its cytotoxicity expressed against mouse motoneuronal NSC34 cells. AtxA displayed a potent dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity that was associated with apoptosis and not necrosis, as revealed by a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-3, and by the absence of propidium iodide staining. The cytotoxic- and apoptosis-inducing effects of AtxA were specific for the motoneuronal cells; human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and mouse myoblast (C2C12) cells were shown to be resistant to the toxin.
Praznikar
Zala Jenko
ZJ
Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, JoZef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Petan
Toni
T
Pungercar
Joze
J
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000633:toxicity
D014757:Viper Venoms; C068117:ammodytoxin A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D053148:Caspase 3