Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:36
Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Published on: November 6, 2017
Ochratoxin A induces apoptosis in neuronal cells
Xiangnan Zhang1, Christine Boesch-Saadatmandi, Yijia Lou
1Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemical Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
Genes & Nutrition
|January 17, 2009
Summary
The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) causes neurotoxicity by inducing apoptosis in neurons. This finding suggests OTA may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common food contaminant with known nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects.
- Potential neurotoxic effects of OTA are not well understood.
- Apoptosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxic potential of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in neuronal cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying OTA-induced neurotoxicity, focusing on apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Primary neurons and SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were exposed to varying concentrations of OTA (0.1-2.5 mumol/L).
- Cytotoxicity, caspase activation (caspase-9 and caspase-3), and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed.
- The effect of caspase inhibitors on OTA-induced neurocytotoxicity was evaluated.
Main Results:
- OTA exposure led to a dose-dependent increase in cytotoxicity in both neuronal cell types.
- Caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation was observed following OTA treatment.
- OTA-induced apoptosis was associated with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Caspase inhibitors partially protected against OTA-induced neurocytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Ochratoxin A exhibits neurotoxic effects at relatively low concentrations.
- OTA-induced neurotoxicity is, at least partly, mediated by apoptosis.
- OTA may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases involving apoptotic processes, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...