Gnaq Protects PC12 Cells from Oxidative Damage by Activation of Nrf2 and Inhibition of NF-kB

In this study, we generated a Gnaq-overexpression cell using gene recombinant technique and lentivirus transfection technique in a neuron-like PC12 cell, and investigated whethe r Gnaq had antioxidant effects in PC12 cells treated with H2O2. The viability of cells, concentration of ROS, Nrf2 nuclear translocation, expression of antioxidant enzymes, activation of NF- κB and apoptosis were compared between Gnaq-PC12 cells and Vector-PC12 cells. Results showed that, compared with Vector-PC12 cells, the antioxidative ability of Gnaq-PC12 cells was significantly improved, while the ROS level in Gnaq-PC12 cells was significantly decreased. Nrf2 nuclear translocation was up-regulated and NF-κB nuclear translocation was down-regulated in Gnaq-PC12 cells after H2O2 treatment. The results suggest that Gnaq plays a crucial role in neuroprotection in PC12 cells. A possible mechanism for this would be that the overexpressed Gnaq enhances the antioxidative effect mediated by Nrf2 signal pathway and inhibits the cellular damaging effect through NF- κB signal pathway.
Source: NeuroMolecular Medicine - Category: Neurology Source Type: research