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Published on: May 12, 2018
[Effect of anatoxin-A on calcium-mediate signal system of brain tissue in mice]
Zhihong Zhang1, Weidong Qu, Songhui Jiang
1Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. zzh8759@yahoo.com.cn
Objective:
To explore the mechanism of central neurotoxity induced by anatoxin-A (ANTX-A) from the calcium-mediate signal system.
Methods:
Mice were administered by i.p. at different doses of ANTX-A for one month, 0.9% of sodium chloride solution was used as the control. Using fluorescence method and colorimetry method, the intracellular calcium concentration and the activity of calcineurin (CaN, PP2B) and ATPase in brain were determined.
Results:
Calcium concentrations in brain were increased in 12.5, 50 and 200 microg/kg bw groups compared with the control group, the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.01). The activity of PP2B of brain in 200 microg/kg bw group was enhanced compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In all ANTX-A treated groups, the activity of Na+ -K+ -ATPase of brain in mice had no obvious changes, but the activity of Ca2+ -ATPase in 50 and 200 microg/kg bw groups were significantly reduced compared with the control group ( P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
It is suggested that calcium-mediate signal system could have important regulative action in the central neurotoxity induced by antoxin-A.
Insights
Anatoxin-A (ANTX-A) exposure increases brain calcium levels and affects calcineurin (PP2B) and Ca2+-ATPase activity, suggesting a role for the calcium-mediate signal system in ANTX-A neurotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Anatoxin-A (ANTX-A) is a potent cyanobacterial neurotoxin.
- The precise mechanisms underlying ANTX-A-induced central neurotoxicity are not fully understood.
- Calcium signaling pathways are critical in neuronal function and dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the calcium-mediate signal system in central neurotoxicity induced by ANTX-A.
- To determine the effects of ANTX-A on intracellular calcium concentrations and related enzyme activities in the brain.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered varying doses of ANTX-A intraperitoneally for one month, with a saline control group.
- Intracellular calcium concentrations were measured using fluorescence methods.
- The activity of calcineurin (PP2B) and ATPases (Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase) in brain tissue was determined using colorimetry.
Main Results:
- ANTX-A exposure led to a statistically significant increase in brain calcium concentrations across multiple dose groups (P < 0.01).
- The activity of calcineurin (PP2B) was enhanced in the highest ANTX-A dose group (P < 0.05).
- While Na+-K+-ATPase activity remained unchanged, Ca2+-ATPase activity was significantly reduced in ANTX-A treated groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The calcium-mediate signal system plays a significant role in the central neurotoxicity induced by Anatoxin-A.
- Alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis and enzyme activity are key components of ANTX-A neurotoxic effects.
