D-LYSERGIC-ACID REDUCES MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED TAU PROTEIN IN SH-SY5YHUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA-CELLS

1. SH-SY5Y, an adrenergic human neuroblastoma cell line, was used to e xamine the hypothesis that D-lysergic acid (LSD) affects the metabolis m of microtubule-associated tau protein, thus affecting microtubule as sembly and the transport of neurotransmitters. 2. After 48 hr treatmen t LSD (10(-5) and 10(-7) M) decreased 50 kDa tau protein in the membra ne (pellet) fraction. The drug (10(-5) M) also decreased in the cytopl asmic (supernatant) fraction. 3. This reduction in tau protein was acc ompanied by a 65% increase (P < 0.05) in total protein after LSD (10(- 7) M) in the cytoplasmic fraction.