Rapid ischemic tolerance induced by adenosine preconditioning results in Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) degradation by the proteasome.

Rapid ischemic tolerance, induced one hour following ischemic preconditioning, is mediated via the ubiq-uitin-proteasome system and the degradation of the pro-apoptotic bcl-2 family protein Bim. Previous studies implicate adenosine A1 receptors in mediating rapid ischemic tolerance. Since the A1 adenosine receptor antagonist DPCPX (10µM) blocked rapid ischemic tolerance in our model, we investigated whether adenosine-mediated preconditioning induces rapid ischemic tolerance via the proteasomal degradation of Bim.

Sumo-2/3-ylation following in vitro modeled ischemia is reduced in delayed ischemic tolerance.

Several recent studies suggest that sumo-2/3 modification of proteins occurs following harmful ischemia, however, sumo-2/3-ylation may also be associated with hibernation-mediated neuroprotection. Here we investigate the sumoylation of proteins following ischemia and ischemic tolerance using our established in vitro model of ischemia (oxygen and glucose deprivation; OGD). Following harmful ischemia (120 min OGD), we observed a significant increase in the sumo-2/3-ylation of high molecular weight proteins (>85 kDa), but not sumo-1-ylation of proteins.

Ubiquitin proteasome-mediated synaptic reorganization: a novel mechanism underlying rapid ischemic tolerance.

Ischemic tolerance is an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism in brain and other organs, whereby prior exposure to brief ischemia produces resilience to subsequent normally injurious ischemia. Although many molecular mechanisms mediate delayed (gene-mediated) ischemic tolerance, the mechanisms underlying rapid (protein synthesis-independent) ischemic tolerance are relatively unknown. Here we describe a novel mechanism for the induction of rapid ischemic tolerance mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

In vivo and in vitro characterization of a novel neuroprotective strategy for stroke: ischemic postconditioning.

As clinical trials of pharmacological neuroprotective strategies in stroke have been disappointing, attention has turned to the brain's own endogenous strategies for neuroprotection. Recently, a hypothesis has been offered that modified reperfusion subsequent to a prolonged ischemic episode may also confer ischemic neuroprotection, a phenomenon termed 'postconditioning'. Here we characterize both in vivo and in vitro models of postconditioning in the brain and offer data suggesting a biological mechanism for protection.

Rapid degradation of Bim by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway mediates short-term ischemic tolerance in cultured neurons.

A previous exposure to a non-harmful ischemic insult (preconditioning) protects the brain against subsequent harmful ischemia (ischemic tolerance). In contrast to delayed gene-mediated ischemic tolerance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate rapid ischemic tolerance, which occurs within 1 h following preconditioning. Here we have investigated the degradation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim as a mechanism of rapid ischemic tolerance.