LPS-induced protein oxidation and proteolysis in BV-2 microglial cells

Exposure of proteins to oxidants leads to increased oxidation followed by p referential degradation by the proteasomal system. The role of the biologic al oxidant production in microglial BV-2 cells in the oxidation and turnove r of endogenous proteins was measured. It could be demonstrated, that BV-2 cells are relatively resistant to fluxes of oxidants, but nevertheless prot ein oxidation occurs due to activation by LPS, This protein oxidation is fo llowed by an enhanced degradation of endogenous proteins. Using PEN, a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, we could demonstrate the involvement of free radicals in the increased proteolysis in BV-2 cells after LPS-treatme nt, ii slight but significant up-regulation of the proteasomal system after LPS activation takes place, indicating the importance of his proteolytic s ystem in the maintenance of the protein pool of microglial cells.