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Maitotoxin Induces Calpain But Not Caspase-3 Activation and Necrotic Cell Death in Primary Septo-Hippocampal Cultures

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Abstract

Maitotoxin is a potent toxin that activates voltage and receptor-mediated Ca2+ channels, resulting in Ca2+ overload and rapid cell death. We report that maitotoxin-induced cell death is associated with activation of calpain but not caspase-3 proteases in septo-hippocampal cell cultures. Calpain and caspase-3 activation were examined by accumulation of protease-specific breakdown products to α-spectrin. Cell death manifested exclusively necrotic-like characteristics including round, shrunken nuclei, even distribution of chromatin, absence of DNA fragmentation and failure of protein synthesis inhibition to reduce cell death. Necrotic cell death was observed in neurons and astroglia. Calpain inhibitor II inhibited calpain-specific processing of α-spectrin and significantly reduced cell death. The pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-D-DCB, nominally attenuated cell death. Results suggest that: (1) calpain, but not caspase-3, is activated as a result of maitotoxin-induced Ca2+ influx; (2) necrotic cell death caused by maitotoxin exposure is partially mediated by calpain activation; (3) maitotoxin is a useful tool to investigate pathological mechanisms of necrosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vivian L. Smith Center for Neurologic Research, The University of Texas-Houston, Medical School, 6431 Fannin, Suite 7.154, Houston, TX, 77030

    X. Zhao, B.R. Pike, J.K. Newcomb & R.L. Hayes

  2. Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research, Warner Lambert Company, 2800 Plymouth Road, Department of Immunopathology/Department of Neuroscience Therapeutics, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105

    K.K.W. Wang

  3. Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT, 06492

    R.M. Posmantur

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Zhao, X., Pike, B., Newcomb, J. et al. Maitotoxin Induces Calpain But Not Caspase-3 Activation and Necrotic Cell Death in Primary Septo-Hippocampal Cultures. Neurochem Res 24, 371–382 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020933616351

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