The neuroprotective effects of cordycepin inhibit glutamate-induced oxidative and ER stress-associated apoptosis in hippocampal HT22 cells.
Glutamate toxicity increases the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular calcium levels, resulting in neuronal dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, and death. Cordycepin is a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine, and is believed to exert neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity in HT22 neuronal cells. Excessive glutamate induces oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, gradually increasing ER-related pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, and eventually up-regulating expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax. Cordycepin inhibits CHOP and Bax expressions, as well as p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38, all of which are involved in oxidative or ER stress-induced apoptosis. In addition, the increased production of ROS from excessive glutamate leads to elevation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), a hallmark of mitochondrial dysfunction. Cordycepin retains MMP and reduces the elevated levels of ROS and Ca(2+) induced by glutamate. Caspases are crucial mediators involved in mitochondrial apoptosis, and while glutamate disrupts mitochondrial function, it does not change expression levels of caspase 3 and caspase 9. Similarly, cordycepin has no effect on caspase 3 and caspase 9 expressions; however, it decreases the expression of ER stress-specific caspase 12, which plays a key role in the initiation of ER stress-induced apoptosis. Finally, we found that the anti-apoptotic effects of cordycepin are partially dependent on activation of the adenosine A1 receptor, whereas an antagonist selectively attenuated the neuroprotective effects of cordycepin. Collectively, these results suggest that cordycepin could be a potential future therapeutic agent for neuronal disorders.
Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Mei Ling
ML
Jin
Bio-IT Fusion Technology Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Sun Young
SY
Park
Bio-IT Fusion Technology Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Young Hun
YH
Kim
Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Jeong-Il
JI
Oh
Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Sang Joon
SJ
Lee
Bio-IT Fusion Technology Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea; Institute for Research & Industry Cooperation, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: gtpark@pusan.ac.kr.
Geuntae
G
Park
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D003839:Deoxyadenosines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003839:Deoxyadenosines; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D018698:Glutamic Acid; C058120:cordycepin
Apoptosis; Cordycepin; ER stress; Hippocampal; Neuroprotection