HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevents prion-mediated neurotoxicity

  • Authors:
    • Jae-Kyo Jeong
    • Sang-Youel Park
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 26, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2013.1457
  • Pages: 931-937
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Abstract

Previous studies have shown that hypoxic preconditioning attenuates prion-mediated neurotoxicity by upregulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). However, the mechanisms behind the HIF-1α-mediated neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative disorders, including prion diseases, are unclear. It is well known that HIF-1α regulates Wnt/β‑catenin signaling and that β-catenin protects neurons against misfolded protein-mediated disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by preventing mitochondrial malfunction. Thus, we hypothesized that the mechanisms responsible for HIF-1α-mediated neuroprotection are associated with β-catenin activation induced by the regulation of mitochondrial function. We used the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line and treated the cells with melatonin and then exposed them to the prion protein, PrP, or the β-catenin inhibitor, ICG-001. TUNEL assay was used to measure apoptosis. β-catenin expression measured by western blot analysis. The results revealed that HIF-1α prevented prion protein (PrP) (106‑126)-induced neurotoxicity by activating β-catenin. Moreover, HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevented the PrP (106‑126)-induced mitochondrial damage under hypoxic conditions, as evidenced by the higher mitochondrial transmembrane potential values in the cells exposed to hypoxic conditions. These results indicate that the regulation of β-catenin activation by HIF-1α may be a therapeutic strategy for prion-mediated disorders.
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October 2013
Volume 32 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Jeong J and Jeong J: HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevents prion-mediated neurotoxicity. Int J Mol Med 32: 931-937, 2013
APA
Jeong, J., & Jeong, J. (2013). HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevents prion-mediated neurotoxicity. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 32, 931-937. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2013.1457
MLA
Jeong, J., Park, S."HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevents prion-mediated neurotoxicity". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 32.4 (2013): 931-937.
Chicago
Jeong, J., Park, S."HIF-1α-induced β-catenin activation prevents prion-mediated neurotoxicity". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 32, no. 4 (2013): 931-937. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2013.1457