High levels of Cellular Prion Protein improve astrocyte development

Author(s)

Hartmann, Camila Arantes ^{[1, 2]} ; Martins, Vilma Regina ^[2] ; Souza Lima, Flavia Regina ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] AC Camargo Hosp, Int Res Ctr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Ctr Ciencias Saude, BR-21941902 Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FEBS Letters; v. 587, n. 2, p. 238-244, JAN 16 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

Prion protein (PrPC) has neuroprotective functions and herein we demonstrate that astrocytes from PrPC-over-expressing mice are more resistant to induced cell death than wild-type astrocytes. The Stress-Inducible-Protein 1 (STI1), a PrPC ligand, prevents cell death in both wild-type and PrPC-over-expressing astrocytes through the activation of protein-kinase-A. Cultured embryonic astrocytes and brain extracts from PrPC-over-expressing mice show higher glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and reduced vimentin and nestin levels when compared to wild-type astrocytes, suggesting faster astrocyte maturation in the former mice. Our data indicate that PrPC levels modulate astrocyte development, and that PrPC-STI1 interaction contributes to protect against astrocyte death. (C) 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/14027-2 - Mechanisms associated with the function of prion protein and its ligand STI1/Hop: therapeutic approaches
• Grantee: Vilma Regina Martins
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants