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Published on: March 14, 2011
Mechanisms of prionSc- and HIV-1 gp120 induced neuronal cell death
H C Schröder1, S Perovic, V Kavsan
1Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
In vitro experiments revealed that the scrapie prion protein, PrP(Sc), as well as the PrP fragment PrP106-126, and the HIV-1 coat protein gp120 induce apoptosis of rat cortical neurons. The toxic effect displayed by PrP and gp120 could be blocked by NMDA receptor antagonists. Treatment of neuronal cells with PrP106-126 resulted in a drop of intracellular glutathione level and changes in the level of Bcl-2. Evidence is presented that gp120 causes an activation of phospholipase A2, resulting in the increased release of arachidonic acid, which may in turn sensitize the NMDA receptor.
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