Abstract
Protein degradation systems are critical pathways for the maintenance of protein homeostasis.
The age-dependent attenuation of the proteasome activity contributes to age-related
neurodegenerative processes. The molecule 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) is naturally
obtained from the rhizomes and seeds of Zingiberaceae plants, such as Languas galangal and Alpinia galangal, and exhibits anti-carcinogenic effects. Recently, we have shown that ACA protected
the age-related learning and memory impairments in senescence-accelerated mice and
maintained cognitive performance. Therefore, we here examined the effects of ACA on
the protein degradation systems and cell protection against neurotoxicity in differentiated
PC12 cells. ACA increased proteasome activity in PC12 cells. Increased proteasome
activity occurred during the initial stages of ACA treatment and lasted at least 9 h.
The activity returned to control levels within 24 h. The increase in proteasome activity
by ACA was suppressed by H-89, which is a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor.
ACA increased the adenylate cyclase activity and therefore the intracellular cAMP
levels. Furthermore, ACA recovered the initial cell viability, which was reduced after
the addition of the amyloid β-protein fragment to neuronally differentiated PC12 cells. The effects of ACA on amyloid
toxicity were reduced after treatment with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. These results
demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of ACA via activation of cAMP/cAMP-dependent
protein kinase A signaling in neuronally differentiated PC12 cells.
Key words
1′-acetoxychavicol acetate - proteasome - AMP-dependent protein kinase A - adenylate
cyclase - cAMP - amyloid
β
- PC12 cells