Stimulation of the regrowth of MPP+-damaged dopaminergic fibers by the treatment of mesencephalic cultures with basigin - Short communication

Basigin (Bsg) is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobul in superfamily and widely expressed in the central nervous system. To eluci date functional role of Bsg in the central nervous system, the effects of i ts glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein on the number and neurite outgrowth of cultured rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons were measured . The fusion protein was not able to promote the survival and neurite outgr owth of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons under serum-free conditi on. However, the treatment of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-exposed cu ltures with the fusion protein resulted in stimulation of the regrowth of d amaged TH-positive fibers. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) also stimu lated the regrowth of neurites in damaged neurons. These results indicate t hat Bsg may play an important role in the regrowth of damaged dopaminergic fibers.