Defective neurite outgrowth in aphidicolin/cAMP‐induced motor neurons expressing mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase

• Published in: International journal of developmental neuroscience 2002-10, Vol.20 (6), p.521-526
• Main Authors: Lee, Kwang‐Woo, Kim, Hyun‐Jeong, Sung, Jung‐Joon, Park, Kyung‐Seok, Kim, Manho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - enzymology; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - genetics; Animals; Aphidicolin; Apoptosis; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell Survival - genetics; Cyclic AMP; Cytochrome c Group - drug effects; Cytochrome c Group - metabolism; Differentiation; DNA Fragmentation - drug effects; DNA Fragmentation - genetics; Enzyme Inhibitors; Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Humans; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - drug effects; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - metabolism; Motor Neurons - drug effects; Motor Neurons - enzymology; Motor Neurons - pathology; Mutation - genetics; Neurites - drug effects; Neurites - enzymology; Neurites - pathology; Neurofilament Proteins - drug effects; Neurofilament Proteins - metabolism; Superoxide Dismutase - deficiency; Superoxide Dismutase - genetics; Superoxide dismutase 1; Tumor Cells, Cultured
• ISSN: 0736-5748; 1873-474X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0736-5748(02)00052-7

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neuron involvement. Mutations in the human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene are found in some cases of familial ALS. Many studies have reported SOD1 mutation‐related neurodegeneration. However, whether or not a mutant SOD1 affects neural development has not been demonstrated. We developed motor neuron‐neuroblastoma hybrid cells that expressed a mutant (G93A) or the wild type (WT) SOD1. Cells were differentiated by dibutyryl cAMP and aphidicolin. The mutant showed a defect in neurite outgrowth and had decreased viability. Cytochrome c released and nuclear fragmentation were observed. Western blot analysis showed that the amount of neurofilament and microtubule associated proteins‐2 (MAP‐2) decreased during differentiation. These results suggest that the defect in neurite outgrowth of mutant SOD1 cells is a cytoskeletal defect and is associated with neuronal death.