Enteric Neurodegeneration is Mediated Through Independent Neuritic and Somal Mechanisms in Rotenone and MPP+ Toxicity

Gut motility malfunction and pathological changes in the enteric nervous system (ENS) are observed in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In many cases disturbances in the autonomous functions such as gut motility precedes the observed loss of central motor functions in PD. However, the mechanism by which ENS degeneration occurs in PD is unknown. We show that parkinsonian mimetics rotenone and MPP+ induce neurite degeneration that precedes cell death in primary enteric neurons cultured in vitro. If the neuronal death signals originate from degenerating neurites, neuronal death should be prevented by inhibiting neurite degeneration. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of cytNmnat1, an axon protector, maintains healthy neurites in enteric neurons treated with either of the parkinsonian mimetics, but cannot protect the soma. We also demonstrate that neurite protection via cytNmnat1 is independent of mitochondrial dynamics or ATP levels. Overexpression of Bcl-xl, an anti-apoptotic factor, protects both the neuronal cell body and the neurites in both rotenone and MPP+ treated enteric neurons. Our data reveals that Bcl-xl and cytNmnat1 act through separate mechanisms to protect enteric neurites. Our findings suggest that neurite protection alone is not sufficient to inhibit enteric neuronal degeneration in rotenone or MPP+ toxicity, and enteric neurodegeneration in PD may be occurring through independent somatic and neuritic mechanisms. Thus, therapies targeting both axonal and somal protection can be important in finding interventions for enteric symptoms in PD.     

Impedance spectroscopy based measurement system for quantitative and label-free real-time monitoring of tauopathy in hippocampal slice cultures

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies comprise death of cell bodies, synapses and neurites but there is surprising little knowledge of the temporal sequence and the causal relationships among these events. Here, we present a novel biosensoric approach to monitor retrograde neurite degeneration before cell death occurs. We induced tau hyperphosphorylation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) and applied marker-independent real-time electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for cellular real-time pathology monitoring. Using this approach, we were able to define two distinct phases of neurite degeneration, first a rapid swelling of axonal processes that manifests itself in relative impedance above control levels followed by a slower phase of collapse and subsequent fragmentation indicated by decreased relative impedance below control levels. Initial axon swelling is strictly dose-dependent and swelling intensity correlates with second phase impedance decrease implicating a causative link between both degenerative mechanisms. Moreover, suppressing tau hyperphosphorylation by kinase inhibition nearly prevented both phases of axon degeneration. Our findings demonstrate that the temporal sequence of tau-triggered neurite degeneration can be directly visualized by EIS-based, non-invasive and label-free monitoring. We therefore suggest this approach as a powerful extension of high content applications to study mechanisms of neurite degeneration and to exploit therapeutic options against AD and tau-related disorders.     

Die in pieces:How Drosophila sheds light on neurite degeneration and clearance

Dendrites and axons are delicate neuronal membrane extensions that undergo degeneration after physical injuries. In neurodegenerative diseases, they often degenerate prior to neuronal death. Understanding the mechanisms of neurite degeneration has been an intense focus of neurobiology research in the last two decades. As a result, many discoveries have been made in the molecular pathways that lead to neurite degeneration and the cell-cell interactions responsible for the subsequent clearance of neuronal debris. Drosophila melanogaster has served as a prime in vivo model system for identifying and characterizing the key molecular players in neurite degeneration, thanks to its genetic tractability and easy access to its nervous system. The knowledge learned in the fly provided targets and fuel for studies in other model systems that have further enhanced our understanding of neurodegeneration. In this review, we will introduce the experimental systems developed in Drosophila to investigate injuryinduced neurite degeneration, and then discuss the biological pathways that drive degeneration. We will also cover what is known about the mechanisms of how phagocytes recognize and clear degenerating neurites, and how recent findings in this area enhance our understanding of neurodegenerative disease pathology.     

Tocotrienol prevents AAPH-induced neurite degeneration in neuro2a cells

Abstract

Objectives

Reactive oxygen species induce neurite degeneration before inducing cell death. However, the degenerative mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. While tocotrienols have a known neuroprotective function, the underlying mechanism remains unclear and may or may not involve antioxidant action. In this study, we hypothesize that free radical-derived membrane injury is one possible mechanism for inducing neurite degeneration. Therefore, we examined the potential neuroprotective effect of tocotrienols mediated through its antioxidant activity.

Methods

Mouse neuroblastoma neuro2a cells were used to examine the effect of the water-soluble free radical generator 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride (AAPH) on neurite dynamics. After 24 hours of AAPH treatment, cell viability, neurite number, and the number of altered neurites were measured in the presence or absence of α-tocotrienol.

Results

Treatment of neuro2a cells with a low concentration of AAPH induces neurite degeneration, but not cell death. Treatment with 5 µM α-tocotrienol significantly inhibited neurite degeneration in AAPH-treated neuro2a cells. Furthermore, morphological changes in AAPH-treated neuro2a cells were similar to those observed with colchicine treatment.

Conclusions

α-Tocotrienol may scavenge AAPH-derived free radicals and alkoxyl radicals that are generated from AAPH-derived peroxyl radicals on cell membranes. Therefore, α-tocotrienol may have a neuroprotective effect mediated by its antioxidant activity.     

Hydrogen peroxide induces neurite degeneration: Prevention by tocotrienols

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may attack several types of tissues and chronic exposure to ROS may attenuate various biological functions and increase the risk of several types of serious disorders. It is known that treatments with ROS attack neurons and induce cell death. However, the mechanisms of neuronal change by ROS prior to induction of cell death are not yet understood. Here, it was found that treatment of neurons with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide induced neurite injury, but not cell death. Unusual bands located above the original collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP)-2 protein were detected by western blotting. Treatment with tocopherol or tocotrienols significantly inhibited these changes in neuro2a cells and cerebellar granule neurons (CGCs). Furthermore, prevention by tocotrienols of hydrogen peroxide-induced neurite degeneration was stronger than that by tocopherol. These findings indicate that neurite beading is one of the early events of neuronal degeneration prior to induction of death of hydrogen peroxide-treated neurons. Treatment with tocotrienols may protect neurite function through its neuroprotective function.     

Mitochondria and neuroplasticity

The production of neurons from neural progenitor cells, the growth of axons and dendrites and the formation and reorganization of synapses are examples of neuroplasticity. These processes are regulated by cell-autonomous and intercellular (paracrine and endocrine) programs that mediate responses of neural cells to environmental input. Mitochondria are highly mobile and move within and between subcellular compartments involved in neuroplasticity (synaptic terminals, dendrites, cell body and the axon). By generating energy (ATP and NAD⁺), and regulating subcellular Ca²⁺ and redox homoeostasis, mitochondria may play important roles in controlling fundamental processes in neuroplasticity, including neural differentiation, neurite outgrowth, neurotransmitter release and dendritic remodelling. Particularly intriguing is emerging data suggesting that mitochondria emit molecular signals (e.g. reactive oxygen species, proteins and lipid mediators) that can act locally or travel to distant targets including the nucleus. Disturbances in mitochondrial functions and signalling may play roles in impaired neuroplasticity and neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer''s disease, Parkinson''s disease, psychiatric disorders and stroke.     

Ionomycin-induced calcium influx induces neurite degeneration in mouse neuroblastoma cells: analysis of a time-lapse live cell imaging system

Reactive oxygen species induce neuronal cell death. However, the detailed mechanisms of cell death have not yet been elucidated. Previously, we reported neurite degeneration before the induction of cell death. Here, we attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of neurite degeneration before the induction of cell death using the neuroblastoma N1E-115 cell line and a time-lapse live cell imaging system. Treatment with the calcium ionophore ionomycin induced cell death and neurite degeneration in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with a low concentration of ionomycin immediately produced a significant calcium influx into the intracellular region in N1E-115 cells. After 1-h incubation with ionomycin, the fluorescence emission of MitoSOX^TM increased significantly compared to the control. Finally, analysis using a new mitochondrial specific fluorescence dye, MitoPeDPP, indicated that treatment with ionomycin significantly increased the mitochondrial lipid hydroperoxide production in N1E-115 cells. The fluorescence emissions of Fluo-4 AM and MitoPeDPP were detected in the cell soma and neurite regions in ionomycin-treated N1E-115 cells. However, the emissions of neurites were much lower than those of the cell soma. TBARS values of ionomycin-treated cells significantly increased compared to the control. These results indicate that ionomycin induces calcium influx into the intracellular region and reactive oxygen species production in N1E-115 cells. Lipid hydroperoxide production was induced in ionomycin-treated N1E-115 cells. Calcium influx into the intracellular region is a possible activator of neurite degeneration.     

Survival motor neuron protein reduction deregulates autophagy in spinal cord motoneurons in vitro

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons (MNs), resulting in muscular atrophy and weakness. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and decreased SMN protein. SMN is ubiquitously expressed and has a general role in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins and pre-mRNA splicing requirements. SMN reduction causes neurite degeneration and cell death without classical apoptotic features, but the direct events leading to SMN degeneration in SMA are still unknown. Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal protein degradation pathway whose precise roles in neurodegenerative diseases remain largely unknown. In particular, it is unclear whether autophagosome accumulation is protective or destructive, but the accumulation of autophagosomes in the neuritic beadings observed in several neurite degeneration models suggests a close relationship between the autophagic process and neurite collapse. In the present work, we describe an increase in the levels of the autophagy markers including autophagosomes, Beclin1 and light chain (LC)3-II proteins in cultured mouse spinal cord MNs from two SMA cellular models, suggesting an upregulation of the autophagy process in Smn (murine survival motor neuron protein)-reduced MNs. Overexpression of Bcl-x_L counteracts LC3-II increase, contributing to the hypothesis that the protective role of Bcl-x_L observed in some SMA models may be mediated by its role in autophagy inhibition. Our in vitro experimental data indicate an upregulation in the autophagy process and autophagosome accumulation in the pathogenesis of SMA, thus providing a valuable clue in understanding the mechanisms of axonal degeneration and a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of SMA.     

Identification of new kinase clusters required for neurite outgrowth and retraction by a loss-of-function RNA interference screen

Disruption of synaptic integrity, loss of connectivity and axodendritic degeneration are early and essential components of neurodegeneration. Although neuronal cell death mechanisms have been thoroughly investigated, less is known about the signals involved in axodendritic damage and the processes involved in regeneration. Here we conducted a genome-wide RNA interference-based forward genetic screen, using small interfering RNA targeting all human kinases, and identified clusters of kinases families essential for growth cone collapse, neurite retraction and neurite outgrowth. Of 59 kinases identified as positive regulators of neurite outgrowth, almost 50% were in the tyrosine kinase/tyrosine kinase-like (TK/TKL) receptor subgroups, underlining the importance of extracellular ligands in this process. Neurite outgrowth was inhibited by 66 other kinases, none of which were TK/TKL members, whereas 79 kinases inhibited lysophosphatidic acid-induced neurite retraction. Twenty kinases were involved in both inhibitory processes suggesting shared mechanisms. Within this group of 20 kinases, some (ULK1, PDK1, MAP4K4) have been implicated previously in axonal events, but others (MAST2, FASTK, CKM and DGUOK) have not. For a subset of kinases, the effect on neurite outgrowth was validated in rat primary cerebellar cultures. The ability to affect regeneration was further tested in a model of axodendritic lesion using primary rat midbrain cultures. Finally, we demonstrated that haploinsufficiency of two members of the AGC kinase subgroup, ROCK1 and PKN1, was able to suppress retinal degeneration in Drosophila model of class III Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa.     

Differential effects of α-tocopherol and N-acetyl-cysteine on advanced glycation end product-induced oxidative damage and neurite degeneration in SH-SY5Y cells

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from non-enzymatic glycation of proteins and cause cellular oxidative stress in a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-dependent manner. Due to these effects, AGEs are implicated as a causal factor in diabetic complications. Several antioxidants, including vitamin E, improve cell viability and diminish markers of oxidative damage in cells exposed to AGEs. However, vitamin E has been studied in cell culture systems with primary focus on apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, while its influences on AGE-induced protein and DNA oxidation, intracellular antioxidant status and cell morphology remain largely unknown. Here, we verify the suppression of AGE-induced cell death and lipid peroxidation by 200μM α-tocopherol in SH-SY5Y cells. We report the partial inhibition of DNA oxidation and a decrease in protein carbonyl formation by α-tocopherol with no effects on intracellular GSH concentrations. We observed that 2mM N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) also had a suppressive effect on DNA and protein oxidation, but unlike α-tocopherol, it caused a marked increase in intracellular GSH. Finally, we compared the ability of both antioxidants to maintain neurites in SH-SY5Y cells and found that α-tocopherol had no effect on neurite loss due to AGEs, while NAC fully maintained cell morphology. Thus, while α-tocopherol suppressed AGE-induced macromolecule damage, it was ineffective against neurite degeneration. These results may implicate thiol oxidation and maintenance as a major regulator of neurite degeneration in this model.     

Distinct molecular interactions mediate neuronal process outgrowth on non-neuronal cell surfaces and extracellular matrices

We have compared neurite outgrowth on extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents to outgrowth on glial and muscle cell surfaces. Embryonic chick ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons regenerate neurites rapidly on surfaces coated with laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN), conditioned media (CM) from several non-neuronal cell types that secrete LN, and on intact extracellular matrices. Neurite outgrowth on all of these substrates is blocked by two monoclonal antibodies, CSAT and JG22, that prevent the adhesion of many cells, including neurons, to the ECM constituents LN, FN, and collagen. Neurite outgrowth is inhibited even on mixed LN/poly-D-lysine substrates where neuronal attachment is independent of LN. Therefore, neuronal process outgrowth on extracellular matrices requires the function of neuronal cell surface molecules recognized by these antibodies. The surfaces of cultured astrocytes, Schwann cells, and skeletal myotubes also promote rapid process outgrowth from CG neurons. Neurite outgrowth on these surfaces, though, is not prevented by CSAT or JG22 antibodies. In addition, antibodies to a LN/proteoglycan complex that block neurite outgrowth on several LN-containing CM factors and on an ECM extract failed to inhibit cell surface-stimulated neurite outgrowth. After extraction with a nonionic detergent, Schwann cells and myotubes continue to support rapid neurite outgrowth. However, the activity associated with the detergent insoluble residue is blocked by CSAT and JG22 antibodies. Detergent extraction of astrocytes, in contrast, removes all neurite- promoting activity. These results provide evidence for at least two types of neuronal interactions with cells that promote neurite outgrowth. One involves adhesive proteins present in the ECM and ECM receptors on neurons. The second is mediated through detergent- extractable macromolecules present on non-neuronal cell surfaces and different, uncharacterized receptor(s) on neurons. Schwann cells and skeletal myotubes appear to promote neurite outgrowth by both mechanisms.     

Differential effects of α-tocopherol and N-acetyl-cysteine on advanced glycation end product-induced oxidative damage and neurite degeneration in SH-SY5Y cells

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from non-enzymatic glycation of proteins and cause cellular oxidative stress in a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-dependent manner. Due to these effects, AGEs are implicated as a causal factor in diabetic complications. Several antioxidants, including vitamin E, improve cell viability and diminish markers of oxidative damage in cells exposed to AGEs. However, vitamin E has been studied in cell culture systems with primary focus on apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, while its influences on AGE-induced protein and DNA oxidation, intracellular antioxidant status and cell morphology remain largely unknown. Here, we verify the suppression of AGE-induced cell death and lipid peroxidation by 200 μM α-tocopherol in SH-SY5Y cells. We report the partial inhibition of DNA oxidation and a decrease in protein carbonyl formation by α-tocopherol with no effects on intracellular GSH concentrations. We observed that 2 mM N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) also had a suppressive effect on DNA and protein oxidation, but unlike α-tocopherol, it caused a marked increase in intracellular GSH. Finally, we compared the ability of both antioxidants to maintain neurites in SH-SY5Y cells and found that α-tocopherol had no effect on neurite loss due to AGEs, while NAC fully maintained cell morphology. Thus, while α-tocopherol suppressed AGE-induced macromolecule damage, it was ineffective against neurite degeneration. These results may implicate thiol oxidation and maintenance as a major regulator of neurite degeneration in this model.     

Neurotoxicity caused by didanosine on cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether didanosine (ddI) directly causes morphological and ultrastructural abnormalities of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro. Dissociated DRG cells and organotypic DRG explants from embryonic 15-day-old Wistar rats were cultured for 3 days and then exposed to ddI (1 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, and 20 μg/ml) for another 3 days and 6 days, respectively. Neurons cultured continuously in medium served as normal controls. The diameter of the neuronal cell body and neurite length were measured in dissociated DRG cell cultures. Neuronal ultrastructural changes were observed in both culture models. ddI induced dose-dependent decreases in neurite number, length of the longest neurite in each neuron, and total neurite length per neuron in dissociated DRG cell cultures with 3 days treatment. There were no morphological changes seen in organotypic DRG cultures even with longer exposure time (6 days). But ddI induced ultrastructural changes in both culture models. Ultrastructural abnormalities included loss of cristae in mitochondria, clustering of microtubules and neurofilaments, accumulation of glycogen-like granules, and emergence of large dense particles between neurites or microtubules. Lysosome-like large particles emerged inconstantly in neurites. ddI induced a neurite retraction or neurite loss in a dose-dependent manner in dissociated DRG neurons, suggesting that ddI may partially contribute to developing peripheral neuropathy. Cytoskeletal rearrangement and ultrastructural abnormalities caused by ddI in both culture models may have a key role in neurite degeneration.     

WIS‐neuromath enables versatile high throughput analyses of neuronal processes

Automated analyses of neuronal morphology are important for quantifying connectivity and circuitry in vivo, as well as in high content imaging of primary neuron cultures. The currently available tools for quantification of neuronal morphology either are highly expensive commercial packages or cannot provide automated image quantifications at single cell resolution. Here, we describe a new software package called WIS‐NeuroMath, which fills this gap and provides solutions for automated measurement of neuronal processes in both in vivo and in vitro preparations. Diverse image types can be analyzed without any preprocessing, enabling automated and accurate detection of neurites followed by their quantification in a number of application modules. A cell morphology module detects cell bodies and attached neurites, providing information on neurite length, number of branches, cell body area, and other parameters for each cell. A neurite length module provides a solution for images lacking cell bodies, such as tissue sections. Finally, a ganglion explant module quantifies outgrowth by identifying neurites at different distances from the ganglion. Quantification of a diverse series of preparations with WIS‐NeuroMath provided data that were well matched with parallel analyses of the same preparations in established software packages such as MetaXpress or NeuronJ. The capabilities of WIS‐NeuroMath are demonstrated in a range of applications, including in dissociated and explant cultures and histological analyses on thin and whole‐mount sections. WIS‐NeuroMath is freely available to academic users, providing a versatile and cost‐effective range of solutions for quantifying neurite growth, branching, regeneration, or degeneration under different experimental paradigms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2013     

N42－A对神经生长因子诱导PC12细胞分化的抑制作用

研究表明,缺乏神经生长因子（ＮＧＦ）的营养支持是Ａｌｚｈｅｉｍｅｒ＇ｓ等神经元退行性疾病发生发展的重要原因,而ＮＧＦ和／或ＮＧＦ受体的过度表达则与一些神经系统肿瘤的发生发展有着十分密切的因果关系。采用（１２５）Ⅰ－ＮＧＦ受体特异结合实验作为ＮＧＦ受体活性物质筛选实验模型从中药牛膝中筛选出了能强烈地抑制（１２５）Ⅰ－ＮＧＦ受体结合的活性成分Ｎ４２－Ａ（ⅠＣ（５０）＝６．１８±３．４３,ｎ＝４）;细胞培养实验表明,Ｎ４２－Ａ对ＮＧＦ诱导大鼠嗜铬神经瘤ＰＣｌ２细胞的分化也具有很强的剂量依赖性抑制作用（对０．１ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ和０．２ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＮＧＦ诱导的大鼠嗜铬神经病ＰＣ１２细胞轴突生长的半数抑制浓度分别为６μｇ／ｍＬ和２１μｇ／ｍＬ）。这表明,Ｎ４２－Ａ是神经元上介导ＮＧＦ诱导轴突生长的特异受体抑制剂,不仅对ＮＧＦ及其受体过度表达所致的神经系统肿瘤的防治具有潜在的应用价值,而且对Ａｌｚｈｅｉｍｅｒ＇ｓ等神经元退行性疾病防治药物的开发研究具有十分重要的意义。     

Lysophosphatidic acid induces neurite retraction in differentiated neuroblastoma cells via GSK-3�� activation

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid growth factor that exerts diverse biological effects, including rapid neurite retraction and cell migration. Alterations in cell morphology, including neurite retraction, in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease involve hyperphosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein tau. Since LPA has been shown to induce neurite retraction in various cultured neural cells and the detailed underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated, we investigated whether LPA induced neurite retraction through taumediated signaling pathways in differentiated neuroblastoma cells. When Neuro2a cells differentiated with retinoic acid (RA) were exposed to LPA, cells exhibited neurite retraction in a time-dependent manner. The retraction of neurites was accompanied by the phosphorylation of tau. The LPA-induced neurite retraction and tau phosphorylation in differentiated Neuro2a cells were significantly abolished by the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor lithium chloride. Interestingly, the LPA-stimulated tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction were markedly prevented by the administration of H89, an inhibitor of both cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Transfection of the dominant-negative CREBs, K-CREB and A-CREB, failed to prevent LPA-induced tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction in differentiated Neuro2a cells. Taken together, these results suggest that GSK-3β and PKA, rather than CREB, play important roles in tau phosphorylation and neurite retraction in LPA-stimulated differentiated Neuro2a cells.     

STOP and GO with NO: nitric oxide as a regulator of cell motility in simple brains

During the formation of the brain, neuronal cell migration and neurite extension are controlled by extracellular guidance cues. Here, I discuss experiments showing that the messenger nitric oxide (NO) is an additional regulator of cell motility. NO is a membrane permeant molecule, which activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and leads to the formation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in target cells. The analysis of specific cells types in invertebrate models such as molluscs, insects and the medicinal leech provides insight how NO and cyclic nucleotides affect the wiring of nervous systems by regulating cell and growth-cone motility. Inhibition of the NOS and sGC enzymes combined with rescue experiments show that NO signalling orchestrates neurite outgrowth and filopodial dynamics, cell migration of enteric neurons, glial migration and axonogenesis of pioneer fibers. Cultured insect embryos are accessible model systems in which cellular mechanisms of NO-induced cytoskeletal reorganizations can be analyzed in natural settings. Finally, I will outline some indications that NO may also regulate cell motility in the developing and regenerating vertebrate nervous system.     

Caspase-independent programmed cell death with necrotic morphology.

Cell death is generally classified into two large categories: apoptosis represents active, programmed cell death, while necrosis represents passive cell death without underlying regulatory mechanisms. Recent progress revealed that caspases, a family of cysteine proteases, play a central role in the regulation of apoptosis. Unexpectedly, however, caspase inhibition occasionally turns the morphology of programmed cell death from apoptotic into necrotic without inhibiting death itself. In this article, we review different models of caspase-independent programmed cell death showing necrotic-like morphology, including our Ras-mediated caspase-independent cell death. Based on these findings, we suggest the existence of a necrotic-like cell death regulated by cellular intrinsic death programs distinct from that of apoptosis. Even though type 2 physiological cell death, or autophagic degeneration, has been recognized as a necrotic-like programmed cell death for a long time, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been identified despite its physiological significance. This has been in part due to the previous absence of adequate caspase-independent cellular models to study, recent efforts may now help to elucidate these mechanisms.     

Deprivation of nerve growth factor rapidly increases purine efflux from cultured sympathetic neurons

The efflux of [3H]purines from cultured sympathetic neurons prelabelled with [3H]adenine is accelerated 2-3-fold within hours of nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal and is reduced by readdition of NGF. Addition of 8-(4-chlorphenyl-thio) cAMP, which delays neurite degeneration, reduced the enhanced efflux of purines, as did the addition of cycloheximide, MgCl2 and the protease inhibitor tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone. Colchicine accelerated purine efflux and neurite degeneration but 2-deoxyglucose increased purine efflux without inducing degeneration, suggesting that ATP reduction itself is not the cause of neurite degeneration. The increase in purine efflux is thus an early biochemical event that has diagnostic value for the study of NGF action since deprivation is detected well before irreversible changes become established.