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La Cognata V, D’Amico AG, Maugeri G, Morello G, Guarnaccia M, Magrì B, Aronica E, Alkon DL, D’Agata V, Cavallaro S. The ε-Isozyme of Protein Kinase C (PKCε) Is Impaired in ALS Motor Cortex and Its Pulse Activation by Bryostatin-1 Produces Long Term Survival in Degenerating SOD1-G93A Motor Neuron-like Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12825. [PMID: 37629005 PMCID: PMC10454105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a progressive depletion of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord. The aberrant regulation of several PKC-mediated signal transduction pathways in ALS has been characterized so far, describing either impaired expression or altered activity of single PKC isozymes (α, β, ζ and δ). Here, we detailed the distribution and cellular localization of the ε-isozyme of protein kinase C (PKCε) in human postmortem motor cortex specimens and reported a significant decrease in both PKCε mRNA (PRKCE) and protein immunoreactivity in a subset of sporadic ALS patients. We furthermore investigated the steady-state levels of both pan and phosphorylated PKCε in doxycycline-activated NSC-34 cell lines carrying the human wild-type (WT) or mutant G93A SOD1 and the biological long-term effect of its transient agonism by Bryostatin-1. The G93A-SOD1 cells showed a significant reduction of the phosphoPKCε/panPKCε ratio compared to the WT. Moreover, a brief pulse activation of PKCε by Bryostatin-1 produced long-term survival in activated G93A-SOD1 degenerating cells in two different cell death paradigms (serum starvation and chemokines-induced toxicity). Altogether, the data support the implication of PKCε in ALS pathophysiology and suggests its pharmacological modulation as a potential neuroprotective strategy, at least in a subgroup of sporadic ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina La Cognata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Grazia D’Amico
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Grazia Maugeri
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Guarnaccia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Benedetta Magrì
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Velia D’Agata
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 95126 Catania, Italy
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Tian Z, Lu XT, Jiang X, Tian J. Bryostatin-1: a promising compound for neurological disorders. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1187411. [PMID: 37351510 PMCID: PMC10282138 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1187411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex system in human body, and there is often a lack of effective treatment strategies for the disorders related with CNS. Natural compounds with multiple pharmacological activities may offer better options because they have broad cellular targets and potentially produce synergic and integrative effects. Bryostatin-1 is one of such promising compounds, a macrolide separated from marine invertebrates. Bryostatin-1 has been shown to produce various biological activities through binding with protein kinase C (PKC). In this review, we mainly summarize the pharmacological effects of bryostatin-1 in the treatment of multiple neurological diseases in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Bryostatin-1 is shown to have great therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and depression. It exhibits significant rescuing effects on the deficits of spatial learning, cognitive function, memory and other neurological functions caused by diseases, producing good neuroprotective effects. The promising neuropharmacological activities of bryostatin-1 suggest that it is a potential candidate for the treatment of related neurological disorders although there are still some issues needed to be addressed before its application in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tian
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin-Tong Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xun Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiao Tian
- Department of Infection, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, The First Batch of Key Disciplines on Public Health in Chongqing, Chongqing, China
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Moran JA, Ranjan A, Hourani R, Kim JT, Wender PA, Zack JA, Marsden MD. Secreted factors induced by PKC modulators do not indirectly cause HIV latency reversal. Virology 2023; 581:8-14. [PMID: 36842270 PMCID: PMC10103183 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
HIV can establish a long-lived latent infection in cells harboring integrated non-expressing proviruses. Latency reversing agents (LRAs), including protein kinase C (PKC) modulators, can induce expression of latent HIV, thereby reducing the latent reservoir in animal models. However, PKC modulators such as bryostatin-1 also cause cytokine upregulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), including cytokines that might independently reverse HIV latency. To determine whether cytokines induced by PKC modulators contribute to latency reversal, primary human PBMCs were treated with bryostatin-1 or the bryostatin analog SUW133, a superior LRA, and supernatant was collected. As anticipated, LRA-treated cell supernatant contained increased levels of cytokines compared to untreated cell supernatant. However, exposure of latently-infected cells with this supernatant did not result in latency reactivation. These results indicate that PKC modulators do not have significant indirect effects on HIV latency reversal in vitro and thus are targeted in their latency reversing ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Moran
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alok Ranjan
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Department of Systems and Chemical Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Rami Hourani
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Department of Systems and Chemical Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jocelyn T Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Paul A Wender
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Department of Systems and Chemical Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jerome A Zack
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Matthew D Marsden
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Raghuvanshi R, Bharate SB. Preclinical and Clinical Studies on Bryostatins, A Class of Marine-Derived Protein Kinase C Modulators: A Mini-Review. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1124-1135. [PMID: 32209043 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200325110444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bryostatins are complex macrolactones isolated from marine organisms Bryozoan Bugula neritina. They are potent modulators of protein kinase C isozymes (PKCα: ki = 1.3-188 nM), and are one of the most extensively investigated marine natural products in clinical trials. Although ~21 natural bryostatins have been isolated, however only bryostatin-1 (1) has received much interest among medicinal chemists and clinicians. The structure-activity relationship of bryostatins has been well established, with the identification of key pharmacophoric features important for PKC modulation. The low natural abundance and the long synthetic route have prompted medicinal chemists to come-up with simplified analogs. Bryostatin skeleton comprises three pyran rings connected to each other to form a macrocyclic lactone. The simplest analog 27 contains only one pyran, which is also able to modulate the PKCα activity; however, the cyclic framework appears to be essential for the desired level of potency. Another simplified analog 17 ("picolog") exhibited potent and in-vivo efficacy against lymphoma. Bryostatin-1 (1) has shown an acceptable intravenous pharmacokinetic profile in mice and displayed promising in-vivo efficacy in mice models of various cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Bryostatin-1 was investigated in numerous Phase I/II oncology clinical trials; it has shown minimal effect as a single agent, however, provided encouraging results in combination with other chemotherapy agents. FDA has granted orphan drug status to bryostatin-1 in combination with paclitaxel for esophageal cancer. Bryostatin-1 has also received orphan drug status for fragile X syndrome. Bryostatin-1 was also investigated in clinical studies for Alzheimer's disease and HIV infection. In a nutshell, the natural as well as synthetic bryostatins have generated a strong hope to emerge as treatment for cancer along with many other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinky Raghuvanshi
- Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Sandip B Bharate
- Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
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Safaeinejad F, Bahrami S, Redl H, Niknejad H. Inhibition of Inflammation, Suppression of Matrix Metalloproteinases, Induction of Neurogenesis, and Antioxidant Property Make Bryostatin-1 a Therapeutic Choice for Multiple Sclerosis. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:625. [PMID: 29971003 PMCID: PMC6018466 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by inflammation and myelin damage. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, high level of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity and blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage, immune-mediated destruction of myelin and neuron loss are involved in the pathogenesis of MS. The currently approved treatments for MS include injectable drugs (interferon-β and glatiramer acetate), oral drugs (fingolimod), and monoclonal antibodies (natalizumab). The mentioned therapeutic choices are mostly focused on the inhibition of inflammation. Therefore, the search for a multi-target therapeutic choice remains unchallenged. It seems that a drug with anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress inhibitory, reduction of MMPs activity, and neurogenesis stimulatory properties may be effective for treatment of MS. In this regard, Bryostatin-1 as a macrolide and marine natural product has been selected as a therapeutic choice. Studies indicate that Bryostatin-1 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and decreases MMPs level and BBB damage. Furthermore, Bryostatin-1 has a neuroprotective effect and promotes neurogenesis and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor stem cells as a critical step for remyelination/myelogenesis. Based on these properties, we hypothesized here that Bryostatin-1 is an effective treatment in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Safaeinejad
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheyl Bahrami
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Centre, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Redl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Centre, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hassan Niknejad
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Salim EI, Harras SF, Abdalla AG, Mona MH. Syphacia muris infection in rats attenuates colorectal carcinogenesis through oxidative stress and gene expression alterations. Implications for modulatory effects by Bryostatin-1. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:198-209. [PMID: 29351079 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggest that some infectious agents may interfere in the natural progression of neoplasia. This study examined the association between chronic infection with adult Syphacia muris parasites and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. In addition, the conceivable therapeutic effect of Bryostatin-1, a potent extract of the marine Bryozoan, Bugulane ritina, was investigated against this combined effect.DMH administration has induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF), surrogate biomarkers for colorectal carcinogenesis, while the S. muris infection combined with DMH has significantly increased the total numbers of ACF. Nonetheless, treatment with Bryostatin-1 after infection has significantly reduced the ACF numbers particularly larger ones. This inhibition was concomitant with significant inhibition in the immunohistochemical levels of the ki67, Caspase-3 and IgM levels in colorectal epithelium, as well as serum levels of IgM and IgG. Additionally, treatment with Bryostatin-1 after S. muris + DMH has modulated enzymatic antioxidative markers levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as the non-enzymatic antioxidant markers levels of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity. Further, treatment with Bryostatin-1 has down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and APC genes in colorectal mucosa. In conclusion, infection with S. muris during colorectal carcinogenesis has significantly modulated the oxidative stress markers in the colorectum, while treatment with Bryostatin-1 has exerted significant curative potential. A mechanism could be explained that Bryostatin-1 treatment has reduced oxidative stress markers activities along with affecting host to parasite immunity possibly leading to changes in the COX-2 and APC expression, retarding cellular proliferation and subsequently reducing the colorectal carcinogenesis events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsayed I Salim
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Samar F Harras
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Aisha G Abdalla
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohmmed H Mona
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
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7
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Finley J. Elimination of cancer stem cells and reactivation of latent HIV-1 via AMPK activation: Common mechanism of action linking inhibition of tumorigenesis and the potential eradication of HIV-1. Med Hypotheses 2017; 104:133-146. [PMID: 28673572 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Although promising treatments are currently in development to slow disease progression and increase patient survival, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. Cancer treatment modalities commonly include chemoradiation and therapies that target components of aberrantly activated signaling pathways. However, treatment resistance is a common occurrence and recent evidence indicates that the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) may underlie the limited efficacy and inability of current treatments to effectuate a cure. CSCs, which are largely resistant to chemoradiation therapy, are a subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit characteristics similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), including self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation, and the ability to initiate tumorigenesis. Interestingly, intracellular mechanisms that sustain quiescence and promote self-renewal in adult stem cells (ASCs) and CSCs likely also function to maintain latency of HIV-1 in CD4+ memory T cells. Although antiretroviral therapy is highly effective in controlling HIV-1 replication, the persistence of latent but replication-competent proviruses necessitates the development of compounds that are capable of selectively reactivating the latent virus, a method known as the "shock and kill" approach. Homeostatic proliferation in central CD4+ memory T (TCM) cells, a memory T cell subset that exhibits limited self-renewal and differentiation and is a primary reservoir for latent HIV-1, has been shown to reinforce and stabilize the latent reservoir in the absence of T cell activation and differentiation. HIV-1 has also been found to establish durable and long-lasting latency in a recently discovered subset of CD4+ T cells known as T memory stem (TSCM) cells. TSCM cells, compared to TCM cells, exhibit stem cell properties that more closely match those of ESCs and ASCs, including self-renewal and differentiation into all memory T cell subsets. It is our hypothesis that activation of AMPK, a master regulator of cellular metabolism that plays a critical role in T cell activation and differentiation of ESCs and ASCs, will lead to both T cell activation-induced latent HIV-1 reactivation, facilitating virus destruction, as well as "activation", differentiation, and/or apoptosis of CSCs, thus inhibiting tumorigenesis. We also propose the novel observation that compounds that have been shown to both facilitate latent HIV-1 reactivation and promote CSC differentiation/apoptosis (e.g. bryostatin-1, JQ1, metformin, butyrate, etc.) likely do so through a common mechanism of AMPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahahreeh Finley
- Finley BioSciences, 9900 Richmond Avenue, #823, Houston, TX 77042-4539, United States.
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Lucke-Wold BP, Logsdon AF, Smith KE, Turner RC, Alkon DL, Tan Z, Naser ZJ, Knotts CM, Huber JD, Rosen CL. Bryostatin-1 Restores Blood Brain Barrier Integrity following Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 52:1119-1134. [PMID: 25301233 PMCID: PMC5000781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have accounted for an estimated 270,000 blast exposures among military personnel. Blast traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the 'signature injury' of modern warfare. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption following blast TBI can lead to long-term and diffuse neuroinflammation. In this study, we investigate for the first time the role of bryostatin-1, a specific protein kinase C (PKC) modulator, in ameliorating BBB breakdown. Thirty seven Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. We utilized a clinically relevant and validated blast model to expose animals to moderate blast exposure. Groups included: control, single blast exposure, and single blast exposure + bryostatin-1. Bryostatin-1 was administered i.p. 2.5 mg/kg after blast exposure. Evan's blue, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis were performed to assess injury. Evan's blue binds to albumin and is a marker for BBB disruption. The single blast exposure caused an increase in permeability compared to control (t = 4.808, p < 0.05), and a reduction back toward control levels when bryostatin-1 was administered (t = 5.113, p < 0.01). Three important PKC isozymes, PKCα, PKCδ, and PKCε, were co-localized primarily with endothelial cells but not astrocytes. Bryostatin-1 administration reduced toxic PKCα levels back toward control levels (t = 4.559, p < 0.01) and increased the neuroprotective isozyme PKCε (t = 6.102, p < 0.01). Bryostatin-1 caused a significant increase in the tight junction proteins VE-cadherin, ZO-1, and occludin through modulation of PKC activity. Bryostatin-1 ultimately decreased BBB breakdown potentially due to modulation of PKC isozymes. Future work will examine the role of bryostatin-1 in preventing chronic neurodegeneration following repetitive neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon P Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Aric F Logsdon
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Kelly E Smith
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Ryan C Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Daniel L Alkon
- Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Zhenjun Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Zachary J Naser
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Office of Professional Studies in Health Sciences, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Chelsea M Knotts
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Jason D Huber
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Charles L Rosen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, One Medical Center Drive, Suite 4300, Health Sciences Center, PO Box 9183, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9183, USA.
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Abstract
The protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which play an essential role in transmembrane signal conduction, can be viewed as a family of "memory kinases." Evidence is emerging that they are critically involved in memory acquisition and maintenance, in addition to their involvement in other functions of cells. Deficits in PKC signal cascades in neurons are one of the earliest abnormalities in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Their dysfunction is also involved in several other types of memory impairments, including those related to emotion, mental retardation, brain injury, and vascular dementia/ischemic stroke. Inhibition of PKC activity leads to a reduced capacity of many types of learning and memory, but may have therapeutic values in treating substance abuse or aversive memories. PKC activators, on the other hand, have been shown to possess memory-enhancing and antidementia actions. PKC pharmacology may, therefore, represent an attractive area for developing effective cognitive drugs for the treatment of many types of memory disorders and dementias.
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