Modulation of notch signaling pathway to prevent H2O2/menadione-induced SK-N-MC cells death by EUK134

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2014 Oct;34(7):1037-45. doi: 10.1007/s10571-014-0079-0. Epub 2014 Jul 9.

Abstract

The brain in Alzheimer's disease is under increased oxidative stress, and this may have a role in the pathogenesis and neural death in this disorder. It has been verified that numerous signaling pathways involved in neurodegenerative disorders are activated in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). EUK134, a synthetic salen-manganese antioxidant complex, has been found to possess many interesting pharmacological activities awaiting exploration. The present study is to characterize the role of Notch signaling in apoptotic cell death of SK-N-MC cells. The cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or menadione to induce oxidative stress. The free-radical scavenging capabilities of EUK134 were studied through the MTT assay, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activity assay, and glutathione (GSH) Levels. The extents of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl formation, and intracellular ROS levels, as markers of oxidative stress, were also studied. Our results showed that H2O2/menadione reduced GSH levels and GPx activity. However, EUK134 protected cells against ROS-induced cell death by down-regulation of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation as well as restoration of antioxidant enzymes activity. ROS induced apoptosis and increased NICD and HES1 expression. Inhibition of NICD production proved that Notch signaling is involved in apoptosis through p53 activation. Moreover, H2O2/menadione led to Numb protein down-regulation which upon EUK134 pretreatment, its level increased and subsequently prevented Notch pathway activation. We indicated that EUK134 can be a promising candidate in designing natural-based drugs for ROS-induced neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, ROS activated Notch signaling in SK-N-MC cells leading to cell apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Caspase 9 / metabolism
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / toxicity*
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Protein Carbonylation / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Salicylates / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Transcription Factor HES-1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Vitamin K 3 / toxicity*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Dipeptides
  • EUK-134
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • N-(N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)alanyl)phenylglycine tert-butyl ester
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • NUMB protein, human
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Salicylates
  • Transcription Factor HES-1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • HES1 protein, human
  • Vitamin K 3
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Caspase 9
  • Glutathione