Amphetamine Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells through the PP2A/AKT/GSK3β Pathway

Amphetamine (AMPH) abuse can influence neuropsychiatric disorders and cell apoptosis by interfering with the protein kinase B/ glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (AKT/GSK3β) pathway. However, the mechanisms underlying this regulation are poorly understood. Using PC12 cells, we found that AMPH inhibited AKT and GSK-3β phosphorylation levels and increased total GSK-3β levels. Furthermore, AMPH caused an increase in the activity of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A), a signaling protein upstream of AKT, which in turn inhibited phosphorylated AKT levels. Okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor, protected PC12 cells against AMPH-induced apoptosis. Together, our results suggest that the PP2A/AKT/GSK3β pathway plays an important role in AMPH-induced neurotoxicity.