6beta-acetoxy nortropane regulated processing of amyloid precursor protein in CHOm1 cells and rat brain.

The effects of the muscarinic receptor agonist 6beta-acetoxy nortropane on amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing were studied in both transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing muscarinic M(1) receptors (denoted as CHOm(1) cell line) and in cerebral cortical and hippocampal slices. Exposure of CHOm(1) cells to 6beta-acetoxy nortropane for 1 h significantly increased the secretion of secretory amyloid precursor protein (derived from alpha-secretase cleavage) in a concentration-dependent manner. In the same system, 6beta-acetoxy nortropane reduced the beta-amyloid peptide production.

Caspase 3 gene expression and [Ca2+]i homeostasis underlying desipramine-induced C6 glioma cell apoptosis.

Aim: To study desipramine (Des)-induced apoptosis and regulation of caspase 3 gene expression and [Ca2+]i homeostasis in rat glioma C6 cells.

Methods: Apoptotic DNA breaks were quantified by propidium iodide (PI) incorporation using flow cytometry (FCM) and were detected by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Expression of apoptotic effector gene caspase 3 was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).