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Apolipoprotein D subcellular distribution pattern in neuronal cells during oxidative stress.
Eva Martínez-Pinilla1, Ana Navarro1, Cristina Ordóñez1
1Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología y Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería s/n Oviedo, 33006, Spain.
Acta Histochemica
|May 9, 2015
Summary
Oxidative stress causes Apolipoprotein D (Apo D) to move from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in brain cells. This nuclear shift, observed during aging and neurodegeneration, is linked to DNA damage, not specific nuclear functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apolipoprotein D (Apo D) is a lipocalin superfamily member involved in lipid transport.
- Apo D expression and location change under stress, aging, and neurodegenerative conditions.
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in aging and neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress on Apo D subcellular localization in HT22 hippocampal cells.
- To characterize the distribution pattern of Apo D in neurons during oxidative stress.
- To clarify the role of Apo D's nuclear translocation during cellular stress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized structural, ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, and molecular techniques.
- Examined Apo D distribution in HT22 cells treated with H2O2.
- Analyzed Apo D localization in neurons and glial cells from aged and neurodegenerative brain samples.
Main Results:
- Under physiological conditions, Apo D is cytoplasmic.
- H2O2 treatment induced apoptosis and Apo D translocation to the nucleus, coinciding with DNA fragmentation.
- Apo D accumulates around the nuclear envelope in aged and neurodegenerative conditions but not within the nucleus.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress induces Apo D redistribution to the nucleus, associated with apoptosis and DNA damage.
- Nuclear Apo D presence is likely a consequence of cellular damage, not active nuclear transport or function.
- Findings suggest Apo D's nuclear shift is a marker of cellular stress rather than a regulator of nuclear processes.

