Diosgenin upregulates axonal guidance partner molecules, Galectin-1 and Secernin-1

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Galectin-1 is a protein involved in various biological activities.
• Previous studies showed diosgenin and Galectin-1 aid axonal regeneration and memory recovery in Alzheimer's disease (AD) models.
• The mechanism by which diosgenin influences Galectin-1 and Secernin-1 in AD remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if diosgenin signaling increases Galectin-1 and Secernin-1 expression.
• To explore the role of the 1,25D3-membrane-associated rapid response steroid-binding receptor (1,25D3-MARRS) in diosgenin's effects.

Main Methods:

• Treated primary cultured neurons and 5XFAD mouse brains with diosgenin.
• Utilized a neutralizing antibody against 1,25D3-MARRS.
• Performed Galectin-1 knockdown in hippocampal neurons.
• Administered diosgenin to 5XFAD mice and analyzed prefrontal cortical neurons.

Main Results:

• Diosgenin upregulated Galectin-1 protein levels in hippocampal neurons and 5XFAD mouse brains.
• The diosgenin-induced increase in Galectin-1 was reduced by anti-1,25D3-MARRS antibody treatment.
• Knocking down Galectin-1 impaired diosgenin's effect on axonal growth.
• Diosgenin administration increased Secernin-1 expression in prefrontal cortical neurons of 5XFAD mice.

Conclusions:

• Diosgenin upregulates Galectin-1 and Secernin-1, potentially via the 1,25D3-MARRS receptor.
• Diosgenin facilitates Galectin-1-Secernin-1-mediated axonal growth.
• Diosgenin shows promise for enhancing brain repair in Alzheimer's disease.