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Involvement of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II in methamphetamine‐induced neural damage
Author(s) -
Chen Xufeng,
Xing Jingjing,
Jiang Lei,
Qian Wenyi,
Wang Yixin,
Sun Hao,
Wang Yu,
Xiao Hang,
Wang Jun,
Zhang Jinsong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.3301
Subject(s) - meth , neurotoxicity , methamphetamine , monoaminergic , chemistry , pharmacology , calcium channel , protein kinase a , calcium in biology , nifedipine , intracellular , calcium , kinase , biochemistry , biology , toxicity , serotonin , receptor , monomer , organic chemistry , acrylate , polymer
Methamphetamine (METH), an illicit drug, is widely abused in many parts of the world. Mounting evidence shows that METH exposure contributes to neurotoxicity, particularly for the monoaminergic neurons. However, to date, only a few studies have tried to unravel the mechanisms involved in METH‐induced non‐monoaminergic neural damage. Therefore, in the present study, we tried to explore the mechanisms for METH‐induced neural damage in cortical neurons. Our results showed that METH significantly increased intracellular [Ca 2 + ] i in Ca 2 + ‐containing solution rather than Ca 2 + ‐free solution. Moreover, METH also upregulated calmodulin (CaM) expression and activated CaM‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Significantly, METH‐induced neural damage can be partially retarded by CaM antagonist W7 as well as CaMKII blocker KN93. In addition, L‐type Ca 2 + channel was also proved to be involved in METH‐induced cell damage, as nifedipine, the L‐type Ca 2 + channel‐specific inhibitor, markedly attenuated METH‐induced neural damage. Collectively, our results suggest that Ca 2 + ‐CaM‐CaMKII is involved in METH‐mediated neurotoxicity, and it might suggest a potential target for the development of therapeutic strategies for METH abuse. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.