Gas6 rescues cortical neurons from amyloid beta protein-induced apoptosis

Gas6, a product of the growth-arrest-specific gene 6, protects neurons from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Neuronal apoptosis is also caused by amyloid beta protein (Abeta), whose accumulation in the brain is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease. Abeta induces Ca(2+) influx via L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VSCCs), leading to its neurotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated effects of Gas6 on Abeta-induced cell death in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Abeta caused neuronal cell death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Gas6 significantly prevented neurons from Abeta-induced cell death. Gas6 ameliorated Abeta-induced apoptotic features such as the condensation of chromatin and the fragmentation of DNA. Prior to cell death, Abeta increased influx of Ca(2+) into neurons through L-VSCCs. Gas6 significantly inhibited the Abeta-induced Ca(2+) influx. The inhibitor of L-VSCCs also suppressed Abeta-induced neuronal cell death. The present cortical cultures contained few non-neuronal cells, indicating that Gas6 affected the survival of neurons directly, but not indirectly via non-neuronal cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Gas6 rescues cortical neurons from Abeta-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the present study indicates that inhibition of L-VSCC contributes to the neuroprotective effect of Gas6.