Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the herpes simplex virus type 2 protein kinase ICP10 PK activates the Ras/MEK/MAPK pathway in nonneuronal cells. Here we report that ectopically expressed ICP10 PK has anti-apoptotic activity in various paradigms of neuronal cell death. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells and primary murine hippocampal cultures transfected with an expression vector for ICP10 PK were protected from cell death resulting from growth factor withdrawal. Protection from apoptosis was also seen in ICP10 PK-transfected hippocampal neurons from the trisomy 16 mouse, a naturally occuring genetic abnormality the human analog of which is Down syndrome. Cells transfected with an expression vector for a mutant that lacks kinase activity were not protected, although it was expressed as well as ICP10 PK. The data indicate that ICP10 PK has a broad anti-apoptotic activity in neuronal cells which depends on a functional PK.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 118-122 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Experimental Neurology |
Volume | 174 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Herpes simplex
- Hippocampal neurons
- ICP10
- PC12
- Ts16
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience