Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Promotes Process Outgrowth in Neural Cells and Exerts Protective Effects against...

Area of Science:

• Marine biotechnology
• Neuroscience
• Cell biology

Background:

• Marine organisms produce bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications.
• Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a compound found in algae, corals, and plants.
• Tropodithietic acid (TDA) is a marine metabolite that induces oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in neural cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of DMSP on mammalian neural cells (N2a and OLN-93).
• To assess DMSP's protective capabilities against TDA-induced cytotoxicity.
• To explore DMSP's role in cellular defense mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized N2a (neuronal) and OLN-93 (glial) cell lines as model systems.
• Administered DMSP and TDA to cell cultures.
• Assessed cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, heat shock protein expression (Hsp32), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation.
• Examined effects on process outgrowth, microtubule organization, and alpha-tubulin acetylation.

Main Results:

• DMSP promoted neurite outgrowth, microtubule reorganization, and alpha-tubulin acetylation in neural cells.
• DMSP effectively prevented TDA-induced cytotoxicity, including mitochondrial dysfunction and stress responses.
• DMSP mitigated the upregulation of Hsp32 and activation of ERK1/2 caused by TDA.

Conclusions:

• DMSP exhibits neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects in mammalian neural cells.
• DMSP confers antioxidant defense in neural cells, similar to its role in algae.
• DMSP represents a promising marine-derived compound for potential neurological applications.