Hibernation-induction peptide and cell death: [D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5)]enkephalin blocks Bax-related apoptotic processes

The psychostimulant methamphetamine, both in vivo and in vitro. caused a mi tochondrial cytochrome c release, the translocation of Bax from cytosol int o mitochondrion, and the oligomerization of Bax. These effects by methamphe tamine were blocked by a neuroprotective and hibernation-induction delta op ioid peptide [D-Ala(2), D-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE). These results suggest that methamphetamine causes apoptosis by affecting the dynamics of Bax and that the neuroprotective property of DADLE may be due partly to its ability to potently block Bax-related apoptotic processes. Published by Elsevier S cience B.V.