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Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P10415 (
Bcl-2
)
33,771
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
(-)-Deprenyl stereospecifically reduces neuronal death even after neurons have sustained seemingly lethal damage at concentrations too small to cause monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition. (-)-Deprenyl can also influence the process growth of some glial and neuronal populations and can reduce the concentrations of oxidative radicals in damaged cells at concentrations too small to inhibit MAO. In accord with the earlier work of others, we showed that (-)-deprenyl alters the expression of a number mRNAs or proteins in nerve and glial cells and that the alterations in gene expression/protein synthesis are the result of a selective action on transcription. The alterations in gene expression/protein synthesis are accompanied by a decrease in DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis and the death of responsive cells. The onco-proteins
Bcl-2
and Bax and the scavenger proteins Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) and Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD2) are among the 40-50 proteins whose synthesis is altered by (-)-deprenyl. Since mitochondrial ATP production depends on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial failure has been shown to be one of the earliest events in apoptosis, we used confocal laser imaging techniques in living cells to show that the transcriptional changes induced by (-)-deprenyl are accompanied by a maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in intramitochondrial calcium and a decrease in cytoplasmic oxidative radical levels. We therefore propose that (-)-deprenyl acts on gene expression to maintain mitochondrial function and to decrease cytoplasmic oxidative radical levels and thereby to reduce apoptosis. An understanding of the molecular steps by which (-)-deprenyl selectively alters transcription may contribute to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
...
PMID:(-)-Deprenyl reduces neuronal apoptosis and facilitates neuronal outgrowth by altering protein synthesis without inhibiting monoamine oxidase. 898 61
Apoptotic, rather than necrotic, nerve cell death now appears as likely to underlie a number of common neurological conditions including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hereditary retinal dystrophies and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Apoptotic neuronal death is a delayed, multistep process and therefore offers a therapeutic opportunity if one or more of these steps can be interrupted or reversed. Research is beginning to show how specific macromolecules play a role in determining the apoptotic death process. We are particularly interested in the critical nature of gradual mitochondrial failure in the apoptotic process and propose that a maintenance of mitochondrial function through the pharmacological modulation of gene expression offers an opportunity for the effective treatment of some types of neurological dysfunction. Our research into the development of small diffusible molecules that reduce apoptosis has grown from studies of the irreversible MAO-B inhibitor (-)-deprenyl. (-)-Deprenyl can reduce neuronal death independently of MAO-B inhibition even after neurons have sustained seemingly lethal damage. (-)-Deprenyl can also influence the process outgrowth of some glial and neuronal populations and can reduce the concentrations of oxidative radicals in damaged cells at concentrations too small to inhibit MAO. In accord with earlier work of others, we showed that (-)-deprenyl alters the expression of a number of mRNAs or of proteins in nerve and glial cells and that the alterations in gene expression/protein synthesis are the result of a selective action on transcription. The alterations in gene expression/protein synthesis are accompanied by a decrease in DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis and the death of responsive cells. The onco-proteins
Bcl-2
and Bax and the scavenger proteins Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) and Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD-2) are among the 40-50 proteins whose synthesis is altered by (-)-deprenyl. Since mitochondrial membrane potential correlates with mitochondrial ATP production, we have used confocal laser imaging techniques in living cells to show that the transcriptional changes induced by (-)-deprenyl result in a maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in intramitochondrial calcium and a decrease in cytoplasmic oxidative radical levels. We therefore propose that (-)-deprenyl acts on gene expression to maintain mitochondrial function and decrease cytoplasmic oxidative radical levels and thereby reduces apoptosis. An understanding of the molecular steps by which (-)-deprenyl selectively alters transcription may lead to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
...
PMID:Apoptosis in neurodegenerative disorders: potential for therapy by modifying gene transcription. 926 33
It has been proposed that mutations in copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
), the only proven cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), induce the disease by a toxic property that promotes apoptosis. Consistent with this, we have demonstrated that overexpression of
Bcl-2
, a protein that inhibits apoptosis, attenuates neurodegeneration produced by the familial ALS-linked
SOD1
mutant G93A (mSOD1). Herein, we assessed the status of key members of the
Bcl-2
family in the spinal cord of transgenic mSOD1 mice at different stages of the disease. In asymptomatic transgenic mSOD1 mice, expression of
Bcl-2
, Bcl-XL, Bad, and Bax does not differ from that in nontransgenic mice. In contrast, in symptomatic mice, expression of
Bcl-2
and Bcl-XL, which inhibit apoptosis, is reduced, whereas expression of Bad and Bax, which stimulate apoptosis, is increased. These alterations are specific to affected brain regions and are caused by the mutant and not by the normal
SOD1
enzyme. Relevant to the neuroprotective effects of
Bcl-2
in transgenic mSOD1 mice, overexpression of
Bcl-2
increases the formation of
Bcl-2
:Bax heterodimers, which abolish the Bax proapoptotic property. This study demonstrates significant alterations in the expression of key members of the
Bcl-2
family associated with mSOD1 deleterious effects. That these changes contribute to the neurodegenerative process in this model of ALS is supported by our observations in double transgenic mSOD1/
Bcl-2
mice in which the pernicious increase of Bax is tempered by an increase in formation of
Bcl-2
:Bax heterodimers. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that
Bcl-2
family members appear as invaluable targets for the development of new neuroprotective therapies in ALS.
...
PMID:Bax and Bcl-2 interaction in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 1058 6
We investigated genes expression by retrograde axonal transport of replication-defective adenoviruses carrying genes for LacZ (AdLacZ) and
Bcl-2
in motor neurons of transgenic mice expressing mutant human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) gene containing a substitution of alanine for glycine at position 93. We found that intramuscular injection of AdLacZ into the tongue of mutant
SOD1
transgenic mice and their wild-type littermates at various ages results in high expression of the transgene and similar time course of expression in hypoglossal cranial nerve nuclei, suggesting no difference in the behavior of the transgene expression between the two groups. Subsequently, we employed a molecular switching cassette for
Bcl-2
designed to express
Bcl-2
by Cre-loxP recombination using adenoviral vectors, and examined the COS7 and primary neuronal cells with the mutant
SOD1
gene. The overexpression of
Bcl-2
in both cells and the neuronal protection against staurosporine-induced apoptosis were observed, after dual infection of adenoviral vectors with cassette for
Bcl-2
(AxCALNLBcl-2) and Cre recombinase (AxCANCre). After inoculation of AxCALNLBcl-2 followed by AxCANCre into the tongue of both mutant
SOD1
transgenic mice and wild-type littermates,
Bcl-2
was detected in both the injection site and the hypoglossal nuclei of brainstems, suggesting that this was the result of retrograde transport of AxCALNLBcl-2 and AxCANCre and expression of
Bcl-2
by Cre recombinase in the hypoglossal nuclei. This strategy for delivery of exogenous genes such as
Bcl-2
will be useful for studying neuronal death/survival and introducing foreign genes into postmitotic motor neurons, and in gene therapy for motor neuron diseases such as ALS.
...
PMID:Bcl-2 expression by retrograde transport of adenoviral vectors with Cre-loxP recombination system in motor neurons of mutant SOD1 transgenic mice. 1143 32
Mutations in Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) are associated with some cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We overexpressed
Bcl-2
, wild-type
SOD1
or mutant SOD1s (G37R and G85R) in NT-2 and SK-N-MC cells. Overexpression of
Bcl-2
rendered cells more resistant to apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal, H2O2 or 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE). Overexpression of
Bcl-2
had little effect on levels of protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) or 3-nitrotyrosine. Serum withdrawal or H2O2 raised levels of protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, 8-OHG and 3-nitrotyrosine, changes that were attenuated in cells overexpressing
Bcl-2
. Overexpression of either
SOD1
mutant tended to increase levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, and 3-nitrotyrosine and accelerated viability loss induced by serum withdrawal, H2O2 or HNE, accompanied by greater rises in oxidative damage parameters. The effects of mutant SOD1s were attenuated by
Bcl-2
. By contrast, expression of wild-type
SOD1
rendered cells more resistant to loss of viability induced by serum deprivation, HNE or H2O2. The levels of lipid peroxidation in wild-type
SOD1
transfectants were elevated. Overexpression of mutant SOD1s makes cells more predisposed to undergo apoptosis in response to several insults. Our cellular systems appear to mimic events in patients with ALS or transgenic mice overexpressing mutant
SOD1
.
...
PMID:Effect of overexpression of wild-type and mutant Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutases on oxidative stress and cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide, 4-hydroxynonenal or serum deprivation: potentiation of injury by ALS-related mutant superoxide dismutases and protection by Bcl-2. 1146 56
Bcl-2
is a gene family involved in the suppression of apoptosis in response to a wide range of cellular insults. Multiple papers have suggested a link between
Bcl-2
and oxidative damage/antioxidant protection. We therefore examined parameters of antioxidant defense and oxidative damage in two different cell lines, NT-2/D1 (NT-2) and SK-N-MC, overexpressing
Bcl-2
as compared with vector-only controls.
Bcl-2
transfectants of both cell lines were more resistant to H(2)O(2) and showed increases in GSH level and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) activity, but not in Mn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, or glutathione reductase activities. Catalase activity was increased in SK-N-MC cells. Overexpression of
Bcl-2
did not significantly decrease levels of oxidative DNA damage (measured as 8-hydroxyguanine) or lipid peroxidation, but it decreased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in both cell lines and protein carbonyls in SK-N-MC cells only. It also increased proteasome activity in both cell lines. We conclude that
Bcl-2
raises cellular antioxidant defense status, but this is not necessarily reflected in decreased levels of oxidative damage to DNA and lipids. The ability of
Bcl-2
overexpression to decrease 3-nitrotyrosine levels suggests that it may decrease formation of peroxynitrite or other reactive nitrogen species; this was confirmed as decreased production of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in the transfected cells and a fall in the level of nNOS protein.
...
PMID:Effect of overexpression of BCL-2 on cellular oxidative damage, nitric oxide production, antioxidant defenses, and the proteasome. 1174 29
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked mutations in the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) gene cause motor neuron death in about 3% of ALS cases. While the wild-type (wt) protein is anti-apoptotic, mutant
SOD1
promotes apoptosis. We now demonstrate that both wt and mutant
SOD1
bind the anti-apoptotic protein
Bcl-2
, providing evidence of a direct link between
SOD1
and an apoptotic pathway. This interaction is evident in vitro and in vivo in mouse and human spinal cord. We also demonstrate that in mice and humans,
Bcl-2
binds to high molecular weight SDS-resistant mutant
SOD1
containing aggregates that are present in mitochondria from spinal cord but not liver. These findings provide new insights into the anti-apoptotic function of
SOD1
and suggest that entrapment of
Bcl-2
by large
SOD1
aggregates may deplete motor neurons of this anti-apoptotic protein.
...
PMID:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated SOD1 mutant proteins bind and aggregate with Bcl-2 in spinal cord mitochondria. 1523 14
Markers of oxidative stress have been found in spinal cord, cortex, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma of SALS patients. Mitochondrial and calcium metabolism dysfunction were also found in peripheral lymphocytes from SALS patients. In this study, we demonstrate that lymphocytes from SALS patients are more prone to undergo alteration of cell membrane integrity both in basal conditions and following oxidative stress induced by H2O2 treatment. The expression of the antioxidant proteins,
Bcl-2
,
SOD1
and catalase in basal conditions, was significantly lower in lymphocytes from SALS patients than in lymphocytes from age and sex matched controls. Exposure to H2O2 induced a time-dependent decrease of
Bcl-2
and
SOD1
in control lymphocytes. Conversely, the levels of these proteins remained unchanged in SALS lymphocytes even after 18 h stress. Catalase expression was not significantly modified by oxidative stress. Our results demonstrate that two factors involved in the genesis and/or progression of the familial form of the disease with
SOD1
mutation are altered also in the sporadic form of ALS and suggest that the oxidative stress protection pathway is deregulated in lymphocytes from ALS patients.
...
PMID:Modified expression of Bcl-2 and SOD1 proteins in lymphocytes from sporadic ALS patients. 1649 3
Superoxide dismutases (SODs) represent the first line of defense against oxidative stress, which is considered an essential factor in several neurodegenerative diseases and aging. We investigated the role of the copper,zinc superoxide dismutase (
SOD1
) in the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis by analyzing the early effects of
SOD1
down-regulation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Through the use of small interference RNA,
SOD1
was efficiently down-regulated at 48 h after transfection without any significant effect on cell viability. The steady-state concentration of superoxide was significantly increased after 12 h, when
SOD1
was only slightly decreased, and progressively returned to values close to those observed in control cells. The superoxide increase was buffered by the enhanced levels of antioxidant glutathione (GSH); however, GSH increase was not sufficient to avoid damage to proteins in terms of carbonyls. GSH-depleting agents, such as BSO or diamide, further increased protein damage and committed
SOD1
deficient cells to death, confirming the pivotal role played by this antioxidant. Although
SOD1
declined mostly in the cytosolic compartment, mitochondria were significantly affected with impairment of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and a decrease in ATP production. Together with these effects carbonylation of mitochondrial proteins was detected and in particular a consistent carbonylation and decrease of the antiapoptotic protein
Bcl-2
. These conditions induced a high susceptibility of
SOD1
-depleted cells to treatment with the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species producing agent rotenone. Overall, the results demonstrate that loss of
SOD1
leads to severe damage of mitochondria, suggesting an important biological role for this enzyme in the preservation of mitochondrial homeostasis.
...
PMID:Mitochondrial damage due to SOD1 deficiency in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: a rationale for the redundancy of SOD1. 1679 May 27
Involvement of P2X1 and P2X2 purinergic receptors in motoneuron response to injury was investigated with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry and correlated with motoneuron loss,
Bcl-2
expression, nitric oxide synthase induction and glial activation. P2X1 was highly induced in rat facial motoneurons after nerve resection, which causes slowly occurring neurodegeneration. P2X1 induction was lower and less persistent after nerve crush, permissive for fiber regeneration. P2X2 expression was found in nuclei of rat facial motoneurons, with nuclear export in the cytoplasm after nerve resection. P2X1 induction in axotomized facial motoneurons was impaired in superoxide dismutase (SOD)1-G93A-mutant mice, a model of motoneuron disease. The data in rats point to a correlation of P2X1 induction with motoneuron degeneration, which also involves P2X2 intracellular changes, rather than with axon regeneration effort. The data in mice show that the
SOD1
mutation interferes with injury-elicited P2X1 induction, suggesting alterations of ATP release from mutant motoneurons after damage.
...
PMID:Changes in the expression of P2X1 and P2X2 purinergic receptors in facial motoneurons after nerve lesions in rodents and correlation with motoneuron degeneration. 1705 78
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