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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Published on: November 6, 2017
A neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A2 induces apoptosis in motoneuron-like cells
Zala Jenko Praznikar1, Toni Petan, Joze Pungercar
1Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, JoZef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Ammodytoxin A (AtxA) is a presynaptically neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A(2) from snake venom. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of its cytotoxicity expressed against mouse motoneuronal NSC34 cells. AtxA displayed a potent dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity that was associated with apoptosis and not necrosis, as revealed by a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-3, and by the absence of propidium iodide staining. The cytotoxic- and apoptosis-inducing effects of AtxA were specific for the motoneuronal cells; human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and mouse myoblast (C2C12) cells were shown to be resistant to the toxin.
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