title: The effect of complement C5a on mitochondrial functions of PC12 cells.
abstract: C5a is thought to play a role during complement-activated neuronal apoptotic cell death in the central nervous system. The mechanisms responsible are however not well-understood. As mitochondria play a key role during apoptosis, we investigated mitochondria as a potential target for C5a. Using PC12 cells, we demonstrated that exposure to C5a led to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase activities. Interestingly, an increase in expression of the mitochondrial stress protein chaperonin 60 was also observed, confirming a marked effect of C5a on mitochondrial functions. These observations are the first documented intracellular effects noted for the complement molecule C5a in in-vitro cultured cells.
authors: HortResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand. martinus@waikato.ac.nz
authors: Ryan D
authors: RD
authors: Martinus
authors: Christian J
authors: CJ
authors: Cook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015936:Complement C5a / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D015936:Complement C5a