GPR30 Activation Contributes to the Puerarin-Mediated Neuroprotection in MPP super(+)-Induced SH-SY5Y Cell Death

• Published in: Journal of molecular neuroscience 2017-02, Vol.61 (2), p.227-234
• Main Authors: Cheng, Yue-Fa, Zhu, Guoqi, Wu, Qing-Wen, Xie, Yue-Sheng, Jiang, Yan, Guo, Lan, Guan, Ya-Li, Liu, Ying-Shuo, Zhang, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0895-8696; 1559-1166
• DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0856-y

The neuroprotective action of puerarin in Parkinson's disease (PD) models has been well investigated. However, the mechanisms involved in protection have not been completely understood. G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor and considered a potential target in the neuroprotection against PD. In this study, we investigated whether puerarin prevented against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP super(+))-induced cell death via GPR30. Our results showed that the GPR30 agonist, G1, exhibited puerarin-mediated neuroprotection against MPP super(+)-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells. This protective action was reversed by the GPR30 antagonist. Moreover, a time- and concentration-dependent effect of puerarin on GPR30 expression was verified at the protein level but not at the mRNA level. Further, we showed that an mTor-dependent new GPR30 synthesis contributed to the protection conferred by puerarin. Finally, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels were enhanced by puerarin and G1 in both control and MPP super(+)-lesioned cells via GPR30. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that puerarin prevents MPP super(+)-induced cell death via facilitating GPR30 expression and GDNF release.