Alzheimer-associated presenilin-2 confers increased sensitivity to apoptosis in PC12 cells

FEBS Lett. 1996 Nov 11;397(1):50-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(96)01142-8.

Abstract

Presenilin-2 is a gene of unknown function recently identified based upon linkage with some forms of familial Alzheimer's disease. To investigate potential effects of PS-2 on cell viability, rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were stably transfected with cDNA constructs encoding either full-length human PS-2 or, for comparison, mouse Bcl-X(L). Overexpression of PS-2 conferred increased sensitivity to the apoptotic stimuli staurosporine and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, Bcl-X(L) overexpression significantly reduced cell death induced by these stimuli. These results suggest that one function of PS-2 may involve modulation of cell viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Survival
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • PC12 Cells
  • Presenilin-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2*
  • Rats
  • Staurosporine / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • bcl-X Protein

Substances

  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • Bcl2l1 protein, mouse
  • Bcl2l1 protein, rat
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PSEN2 protein, human
  • Presenilin-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Staurosporine