N-stearoyltyrosine protects against glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity by an apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)-mediated caspase-independent cell death pathway

J Pharmacol Sci. 2014;124(2):169-79. doi: 10.1254/jphs.13184fp. Epub 2014 Jan 25.

Abstract

N-stearoyltyrosine (NsTyr), a synthesized anandamide (AEA) analogue, could exert potent neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia models both in vivo and in vitro via intervening in multiple injuries. Glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter, plays a critical role during stroke/cerebral ischemia. In this study, we explored the protective effects of NsTyr on glutamate neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and investigated its underlying mechanisms. NsTyr treatment attenuated glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity in a dose-dependent manner and the best performance was observed at 10 μΜ. NsTyr treatment suppressed glutamate-induced upregulation of lipoxygenase 12/15 (LOX 12/15) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, attenuated the increase of BH3-interacting domain death agonist (Bid) in the mitochondria, prevented the loss of mitochondria membrane potential and consequently inhibited apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) translocation into the nucleus. The results demonstrated that NsTyr could protect cells against AIF-mediated caspase-independent cell death induced by glutamate, which may be due to the blockage of Bid-mediated mitochondrial damage via reducing LOX 12/15 activity and ROS accumulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor / metabolism*
  • BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein / metabolism
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glutamic Acid / physiology
  • Glutamic Acid / toxicity*
  • Lipoxygenase / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Neuroprostanes / pharmacology*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / physiology*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / toxicity
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tyrosine / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor
  • BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein
  • Bid protein, rat
  • Neuroprostanes
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Tyrosine
  • N-stearoyltyrosine
  • Lipoxygenase