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Sulfated polymannuroguluronate, a novel anti‐acquired immune deficiency syndrome drug candidate, decreased vulnerability of PC12 cells to human immunodeficiency virus tat protein through attenuating calcium overload
Author(s) -
Hui Bin,
Li Jing,
Geng Mei Yu
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.21566
Subject(s) - apoptosis , biology , immunology , immune system , transactivation , signal transduction , programmed cell death , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , cancer research , virology , transcription factor , gene , biochemistry
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 infection of the central nervous system occurs in the vast majority of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐associated dementia (HAD) represents the most severe form of HIV‐related neuropsychiatric impairment. The pathogenesis of HAD is mediated by disruption of neuronal cell signal pathways, which ultimately triggers neuronal apoptosis. Evidence indicates that a viral gene product, the transactivator of transcription protein (Tat), takes a responsive role to these events. We herein report that sulfated polymannuroguluronate (SPMG), a novel anti‐acquired immunodeficiency syndrome drug candidate now in phase II clinical trial, significantly decreased vulnerability of PC12 cells to HIV Tat protein by protecting cells from apoptosis. Furthermore, SPMG potently arrested Tat‐triggered PKCδ and PKCθ activation and blocked the downstream apoptosis signaling pathways mediated by both ERK1/2 and caspase‐3. These molecular mechanisms were attributed to the fact that SPMG reduced Tat‐evoked calcium overload. These data demonstrate that SPMG might serve as a valuable therapeutic intervention for Tat‐induced neuronal cell death and the subsequent pathologic events of HAD. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.