Effect of the neuroprotective compound SR57746A on nerve growth factor synthesis in cultured astrocytes from neonatal rat cortex

Br J Pharmacol. 1999 May;127(1):139-44. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702545.

Abstract

The neurotrophic factor promoting activity of the neuroprotective compound SR57746A was evaluated in primary cultures of neonatal rat cortical astrocytes by studying the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A concentration- and time-dependent increase of nerve growth factor mRNA was induced by SR57746A (10 nM-1 microM). In these astrocytes, BDNF mRNA contents were increased to a significant but smaller extent, and beta-actin mRNA showed no variation. SR57746A (1 microM) induced increases of both de novo protein translation after 6 h of incubation and NGF release into the extracellular medium after 6-24 h. These effects were preceded by a transient augmentation of junB, c-fos and c-jun mRNA contents. These increases of AP-1 family mRNA were associated with increased nuclear AP-1 binding activity. The results show that SR57746A can increase the synthesis and release of NGF in rat cortical astrocytes. Such effects may contribute to the drug's previously described neuroprotective effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / biosynthesis
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology*
  • Nerve Growth Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Naphthalenes
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Pyridines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases
  • xaliproden