Neuroprotective function of thymosin-β and its derivative peptides on the programmed cell death of chick and rat neurons

So Yoen Choi, Mi Ra Noh, Dong Ki Kim, Woong Sun, Hyun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thymosin-βs (Tβs) are small polypeptides with various biological functions, including cytoskeletal remodeling, angiogenesis, cellular migration, wound healing, and regulation of apoptosis. Recently, we found that Tβ is involved in the control of programmed cell death (PCD) of motoneurons (MNs) in chick embryo, and that the anti-apoptotic action of Tβ is independent of its actin-sequestering activity. In this study, we observed that a synthetic peptide derived from Tβ suppressed staurosporine-induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro, and PCD of chick or rat MNs in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of Tβ4 in chick embryo by antibody significantly augmented the PCD of MNs, suggesting that secreted form of Tβ is physiological regulator of PCD. Based on these findings, we propose that extracellularly secreted Tβ is involved in the control of PCD of neurons during development, and Tβ-derived peptides could be useful for the anti-apoptotic therapy of neuropathologies related to neuronal apoptosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)587-593
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical and biophysical research communications
Volume362
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 Oct 26

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported by the Korea Science Engineering Foundation grant funded by the Korea government (M10412000078-04N1200-07810 and M103KV010018-03K2201-01820K).

Copyright:
Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Extracellular
  • Motoneuron
  • Programmed cell death
  • Synthetic peptides
  • Thymosin-β

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neuroprotective function of thymosin-β and its derivative peptides on the programmed cell death of chick and rat neurons'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this