Ebselen inhibits NO-induced apoptosis of differentiated PC12 cells via inhibition of ASK1-p38 MAPK-p53 and JNK signaling and activation of p44/42 MAPK and Bcl-2

Krishna P. Sarker, Kamal K. Biswas, Jesusa L. Rosales, Kazuyo Yamaji, Teruto Hashiguchi, Ki Young Lee, Ikuro Maruyama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ebselen, a selenium-containing heterocyclic compound, prevents ischemia-induced cell death. However, the molecular mechanism through which ebselen exerts its cytoprotective effect remains to be elucidated. Using sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide (NO) donor, we show here that ebselen potently inhibits NO-induced apoptosis of differentiated PC12 cells. This was associated with inhibition of NO-induced phosphatidyl Serine exposure, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation by ebselen. Analysis of key apoptotic regulators during NO-induced apoptosis of differentiated PC12 cells showed that ebselen blocks the activation of the apoptosis signaling-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), and inhibits phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK). Moreover, ebselen inhibits NO-induced p53 phosphorylation at Ser15 and c-Jun phosphorylation at Ser63 and Ser73. It appears that inhibition of p38 MAPK and p53 phosphorylation by ebselen occurs via a thiol-redox-dependent mechanism. Interestingly, ebselen also activates p44/42 MAPK, and inhibits the downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in SNP-treated PC12 cells. Together, these findings suggest that ebselen protects neuronal cells from NO cytotoxicity by reciprocally regulating the apoptotic and antiapoptotic signaling cascades.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1345-1353
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume87
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Ebselen
  • MAP kinases
  • Nitric oxide
  • PC12 cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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