A NEUROTOXIN N-METHYL(R)SALSOLINOL INDUCES APOPTOTIC CELL-DEATH IN DIFFERENTIATED HUMAN DOPAMINERGIC NEUROBLASTOMA SH-SY5Y CELLS

In retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells an endogenous neurotoxin N-methyl(R)salsolinol induced apoptotic cell death. Using a single ce ll gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, DNA damage was quantitatively me asured, and it was found to depend on the concentration of N-methyl(R) salsolinol and the incubation time up to 6 h. The differentiated cells were more sensitive to N-methyl(R)salsolinol than the undifferentiate d cells. Radical scavengers protected the cells from DNA damage, indic ating oxidative stress is involved in the apoptotic cell process. Thes e results suggest that apoptosis induced by endogenous neurotoxins mig ht be the mechanism of the cell death of dopamine neurons in Parkinson 's disease. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.