Abstract:
Objective To explore the effect of aluminum on the expression of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) proteins and genes in PC12 cells.
Methods Cultured PC12 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups:200 μmol/L saline group, and 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μmol/L Al(mal)3 groups. The protein and gene expression of BACE1 was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) at 12, 24 and 48h after treatment.
Results The viability of PC12 cells was decreased in a time-dependent manner in different dose groups. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of BACE1 mRNA in 100 μmol/L Al(mal)3 group increased significantly compared with that in 0 μmol/L Al(mal)3 group and saline group after 48 h exposure (P<0.05); and that in 200 and 400 μmol/L Al(mal)3 groups in creased significantly compared with that in 0 μmol/L Al(mal)3 group and saline group after 12, 24 and 48 h exposure (P<0.05). ELISA detection results showed that, compared with the 0 μmol/L Al(mal)3 group and the saline group, the expression of BACE1 in 200 μmol/L Al(mal)3 group increased significantly after 24 h exposure (P<0.05); and that in 200 and 400 μmol/L Al(mal)3 groups in creased significantly after 12, 24 and 48 h exposure (P<0.05).
Conclusion The obvious toxicity of Al(mal)3 on PC12 cells may be related to the enhancing expression of BACE1 protein and gene in PC12 cells.