Stimulatory effects of 4-methylcatechol, dopamine and levodopa on the expression of metallothionein-III (GIF) mRNA in immortalized mouse brain glial cells (VR-2g)

Brain Res. 1998 May 11;792(2):335-9. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(98)00239-x.

Abstract

Metallothionein (MT)-III, originally discovered as a growth inhibitory factor (GIF), is a brain specific isomer of MTs and is markedly reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients (AD) and in several other neurodegenerative diseases. We analyzed the level and regulation of mRNA expression of MT-III in immortalized fetal mouse brain glial cells (VR-2g) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The basal expression level of MT-III mRNA is very low in VR-2g cells. 4-Methylcatechol, dopamine (DA) and levodopa (l-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), which stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF), further increased the expression of MT-III mRNA in VR-2g cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catechols / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Transformed / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Transformed / enzymology
  • Dopamine / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Growth Inhibitors / genetics*
  • Levodopa / pharmacology*
  • Metallothionein 3
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Neuroglia / enzymology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Catechols
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Metallothionein 3
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • RNA, Messenger
  • 4-methylcatechol
  • Levodopa
  • Dopamine