title: A neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A2 induces apoptosis in motoneuron-like cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, JoZef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Zala Jenko
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Praznikar
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petan
authors.forename: Joze
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pungercar
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014757:Viper Venoms; C068117:ammodytoxin A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D053148:Caspase 3