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Motoneuronal death during spinal cord development is mediated by oxidative stress
M R Sánchez-Carbente1, S Castro-Obregón, L Covarrubias
1Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Mor. 62210, México.
Cell Death and Differentiation
|January 8, 2005
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signaling molecules that control programmed motoneuron death during spinal cord development. Reducing ROS levels with antioxidants increases motoneuron survival, suggesting a role in neurodegenerative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in neuronal death in culture and neurodegenerative diseases.
- The role of ROS in programmed cell death during spinal cord development is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of ROS in motoneuron death during spinal cord development.
- To determine if ROS act as signaling molecules in programmed motoneuron death.
Main Methods:
- Correlation analysis of ROS levels, antioxidant enzyme gene expression, and motoneuron death during spinal cord development.
- Treatment of cultured spinal cords with a superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetic.
- Treatment with caspase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- High ROS levels, antioxidant enzyme gene expression, and motoneuron death positively correlated during spinal cord development.
- Antioxidant treatment reduced ROS, decreased cell death, and increased motoneuron survival.
- Motoneuron survival with antioxidant treatment exceeded that with caspase inhibitors and did not correlate with reduced DNA degradation.
Conclusions:
- ROS function as signaling molecules that regulate both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent programmed motoneuron death.
- This ROS-mediated cell death pathway may be aberrantly activated in neurodegenerative disorders and aging.
- Antioxidant interventions show potential for enhancing motoneuron survival.