Involvement of Connexin40 in the Protective Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 Against Traumatic Brain Injury. 2016

Wei Chen, and Yijun Guo, and Wenjin Yang, and Ping Zheng, and Jinsong Zeng, and Wusong Tong
The People's Hospital of Pu Dong New Area, 490 South Chuanhuan Road, Chuansha New Town, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China.

Ginsenosides are the major active components of ginseng, which have been proven to be effective in therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) is the most abundant among all the identified ginsenosides and has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that form gap junctions, which are important for diffusion of cytosolic factors such as ions and second messenger signaling molecules. Previous studies have shown that a subset of connexin proteins is involved in neuroprotection. We investigated the protective effects of GS-Rb1 against traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the potential mechanism using TBI mouse model. We discovered that TBI-induced brain injury and up-regulation of connexin40 (Cx40) protein expression as early as 6 h post-TBI, which was reversed by administration of GS-Rb1. In addition, we found that the protective effects of GS-Rb1 are dose and time dependent and are partially mediated through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway, as evidenced by the abolishment of GS-Rb1-mediated elevation of p-ERK1/2 expression and inhibition of Cx40 expressions when ERK inhibitor U0126 was used. Our study provides evidence that Cx40 is implicated in TBI-induced brain injuries, and GS-Rb1 exerts neuroprotective activity against TBI involving down-regulation of Cx40 expression.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010766 Phosphorylation The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety. Phosphorylations
D004195 Disease Models, Animal Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases. Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D000070642 Brain Injuries, Traumatic A form of acquired brain injury which occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Trauma, Brain,Traumatic Brain Injury,Encephalopathy, Traumatic,Injury, Brain, Traumatic,TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury),TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries),Traumatic Encephalopathy,Brain Injury, Traumatic,Brain Trauma,Brain Traumas,Encephalopathies, Traumatic,TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries),Traumas, Brain,Traumatic Brain Injuries,Traumatic Encephalopathies
D000097003 Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein A GAP JUNCTION alpha subunit containing four transmembrane domains expressed in the atrial myocardium and ventricular HEART CONDUCTION SYSTEM including PURKINJE FIBERS. Mutations in the human gene GJA5 are associated with cardiac conduction abnormalities such as a familial ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. Connexin 40,Connexin 40 Protein,GJA5 Protein,Gap Junction A5,Gap Junction alpha5 Protein,Gap Junction alpha 5 Protein,Protein, Connexin 40,Protein, GJA5
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D015536 Down-Regulation A negative regulatory effect on physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, or systemic level. At the molecular level, the major regulatory sites include membrane receptors, genes (GENE EXPRESSION REGULATION), mRNAs (RNA, MESSENGER), and proteins. Receptor Down-Regulation,Down-Regulation (Physiology),Downregulation,Down Regulation,Down-Regulation, Receptor
D017208 Rats, Wistar A strain of albino rat developed at the Wistar Institute that has spread widely at other institutions. This has markedly diluted the original strain. Wistar Rat,Rat, Wistar,Wistar Rats
D017630 Connexins A group of homologous proteins which form the intermembrane channels of GAP JUNCTIONS. The connexins are the products of an identified gene family which has both highly conserved and highly divergent regions. The variety contributes to the wide range of functional properties of gap junctions. Connexin,Connexin Complex Proteins,Gap Junction Proteins,Gap Junction Channel Proteins,Gap Junction Protein,Junction Protein, Gap,Junction Proteins, Gap
D018696 Neuroprotective Agents Drugs intended to prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord from ischemia, stroke, convulsions, or trauma. Some must be administered before the event, but others may be effective for some time after. They act by a variety of mechanisms, but often directly or indirectly minimize the damage produced by endogenous excitatory amino acids. Neuroprotectant,Neuroprotective Agent,Neuroprotective Drug,Neuroprotectants,Neuroprotective Drugs,Neuroprotective Effect,Neuroprotective Effects,Agent, Neuroprotective,Agents, Neuroprotective,Drug, Neuroprotective,Drugs, Neuroprotective,Effect, Neuroprotective,Effects, Neuroprotective

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