Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor peptide (ADNF9) protects neurons against oxidative stress-induced death

Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) and a 14-amino acid fragment of this peptide (sequence VLGGGSALLRSIPA) protect neurons from death associ ated with an array of toxic conditions, including amyloid beta-peptide, N-m ethyl-D-aspartate, tetrodotoxin, and the neurotoxic HIV envelope coat prote in gp120. We report that an even smaller, nine-amino acid fragment (ADNFS) with the sequence SALLRSIPA potently protects cultured embryonic day 18 rat hippocampal neurons from oxidative injury and neuronal apoptosis induced b y FeSO4 and trophic factor withdrawal. Among the characteristics of this pr otection are maintenance of mitochondrial function and a reduction in accum ulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species.