Biomaterial Database

Methylazoxymethanol acetate-induced apoptosis in the external granule cell layer of the developing cerebellum of the rat is associated with strong c-Jun expression and formation of high molecular weight c-Jun complexes. 1997

I Ferrer, and E Pozas, and M Marti, and R Blanco, and A M Planas

Hospital Princeps d'Espanya, Universitat de Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Departament de Farmacologia i Toxicologia, Spain.

Intraperitoneal administration of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate (0.05 microl/g of body weight) in male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 days produced cell death in the external granule layer of the cerebellum which peaked at 48 hours (h) and was followed by removal of cellular debris at 72 h. Dying cells had the morphological features of apoptosis and were stained with the method of in situ labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation. Strong c-Jun immunoreactivity was observed in apoptotic cells during the whole process of MAM-induced apoptosis. No differences of c-Fos immunoreactivity were observed between control and MAM-treated rats throughout the period studied. Western blotting of cerebellar homogenates in control rats disclosed two bands which reacted with both c-Jun antibodies, one located at p39 that corresponds to the molecular weight of c-Jun, and the other at about p62. MAM-treated rats showed a robust band at p62, together with a thinner band located immediately above it, which was accompanied by a reduction of the p39 band. The specificity of the immunoreaction was tested by incubating the antibodies with the appropriate control peptides. No difference between control and MAM-treatad rats was observed in Western blots processed with antibodies to c-Fos during this study. These results show that MAM-induced apoptosis in the external granule cell layer of the rat is associated with strong c-Jun expression, which is restricted to apoptotic cells, and with the formation of high-molecular-weight c-Jun complexes. Taken together, the present observations suggest that c-Jun may participate in the genetic cascade of events leading to apoptotic cell death in the developing cerebellum.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008746	Methylazoxymethanol Acetate	The aglycone of CYCASIN. It acts as a potent carcinogen and neurotoxin and inhibits hepatic DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.	(Methyl-ONN-azoxy)methanol Acetate,Acetate, Methylazoxymethanol
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009419	Nerve Tissue Proteins		Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D009498	Neurotoxins	Toxic substances from microorganisms, plants or animals that interfere with the functions of the nervous system. Most venoms contain neurotoxic substances. Myotoxins are included in this concept.	Alpha-Neurotoxin,Excitatory Neurotoxin,Excitotoxins,Myotoxin,Myotoxins,Neurotoxin,Alpha-Neurotoxins,Excitatory Neurotoxins,Excitotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxins,Neurotoxin, Excitatory,Neurotoxins, Excitatory
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002531	Cerebellum	The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills.	Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D003593	Cytoplasm	The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)	Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D000477	Alkylating Agents	Highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning. Many are used as antineoplastic agents, but most are very toxic, with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant actions. They have also been used as components in poison gases.	Alkylating Agent,Alkylator,Alkylators,Agent, Alkylating,Agents, Alkylating