Endothelin 1 protects HN33 cells from serum deprivation-induced neuronal apoptosis through Ca2+-PKC alpha-ERK pathway

Abstract

Endothelins (ETs), which were originally found to be potent vasoactive transmitters, were known to be implicated in nervous system, but the mode of mechanism remains unclear. ETs (ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3) were added to HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuron X neuroblastoma) cells. Among the three types of ET, only ET-1 increased the intracellular calcium levels in a PLC. dependent manner with the induction of ERK 1/2 activation. As the result of ET-1 exposure, the survival rate of HN33 cells and the PKC alpha. translocation into the plasma membrane were increased. We suggest that ET-1 participated in the neuroprotective effect involving the calcium-PKC alpha-ERK1/2 pathway.