MITOCHONDRIAL-FUNCTION IMPAIRMENT INDUCED BY AMYLOID BETA-PEPTIDE ON PC12 CELLS

THE aim of the present study was to determine whether amyloid beta-pep tide (A beta) induces mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial functio n was reported to be affected following A beta exposure, as demonstrat ed by depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, decrease of oxygen consumption and by the inhibition of complexes I, III and IV of the m itochondrial respiratory chain. A beta 25-35 and A beta 1-40 peptides also inhibited MTT reduction in a dose-dependent manner in undifferent iated and differentiated PC12 cells. Several antioxidants prevented th is inhibitory response, suggesting that oxidative stress is involved i n A beta-induced cytotoxicity. These data suggest that mitochondrial d ysfunction contributes to amyloid beta-protein cytotoxicity and may pl ay a major role in the abnormalities of energy metabolism observed in Alzheimer's disease. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.