Stimulation of nerve growth factor synthesis/secretion by 1,4‐benzoquinone and its derivatives in cultured mouse astroglial cells

Abstract

Previously we reported that astroglial cells cultured from mouse brain synthesize and secrete nerve growth factor (NGF) and that, in quiescent cells, catecholamines markedly increase the NGF content in the conditioned medium (CM). We wished to further assess the structural properties required for exhibition of such effect of compounds containing a ring structure analogous to that of catechol on astroglial NGF synthesis. During our study, we found that hydroquinone, which was confirmed not to stimulate .NGF synthesis in mouse fibroblast cells in another of our investigations, is a potent stimulator of NGF synthesis in astroglial cells and that 1,4benzoquinone, an oxidized form of hydroquinone, is a more effective stimulator than hydroquinone itself. In addition, the results of experiments with 1,2benzoquinone derivatives indicated that the presence of a long aliphatic side chain in the molecule eliminates the stimulatory effect of 1,4-benzoquinone on NGF synthesis in astroglial cells.

Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Human Astrocytoma Cells

“…The hexane-ethyl acetate (10 : 1) eluate was further purified by ODS column chromatography using methanol to give hericenone C (210.9 mg), D (35.4 mg), and E (48.0 mg). Their spectral data ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, and HR-FAB-MS) completely agreed with the data reported. 20) Hericenone C, D, and E in the extract of H. erinaceus were analyzed using HPLC (Shimadzu LC-10 series, SPD-6AV UV-VIS detector Shimadzu set at 260 nm, with a mbondapak C18 3.9ϫ300 mm, 10 mm column (Waters)).…”

“…Therefore, their application as a medicine for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders is assumed to be difficult. Alternatively, research has been carried out on low-molecular weight compounds that promote NGF biosynthesis, such as catecholamines, 11,12) benzoquinones, 13) fellutamides, 14) idebenone, 15) kansuinin, ingenol triacetate, jolkinolide B, 16) dictyophorines, 17) scabronines, 18) hericenones, [18][19][20][21] erinacins, [22][23][24] and cyrneines. 25) Hericium erinaceus is a mushroom that grows on old or dead broadleaf trees.…”

Hippocampal p75 Nerve Growth Factor Receptor Immunoreactivity in Development, Normal Aging and Senescence

“…This is of interest given the suggested role of NGF in survival of septal neurons and the maintenance of their cholinergic phenotype. Since the septal neurons do not appear to in nervate the hippocampus until the postnatal period, and therefore do not presumably receive any trophic support in the form of NGF from the hippocampus (though NGF is potentially present in the developing central nervous sys tem [Hayashi et al, 1990], trophic support may be pro vided from another source. The possibility therefore exists of a local source of NGF for the septal neurons to maintain them through to the period of innervation in the immediate postnatal period.…”

“…1988]. The fact that neurons in the developing cerebral cortex express NGF receptor (this study and Mufson and Kordower [1992]) and that NGF is also synthesized [Hayashi et al, 1990;Pizzuti et al. 1990] is suggestive of a possible autocrine role or local paracrine involvement of NGF.…”

“…The present study has demonstrated the presence of NGF receptor immunoreactivity in the cells of the nucleus of Mcynert from as early as week 24, and therefore the cells would appear to have the capacity to respond to NGF. In deed, NGF and mRNA has been shown to be present in the human fetal neocortcx in the 16th week [Pizzuti et al, 1990], and NGF itself is present in the developing primate cortex [Hayashi et al, 1990). The nucleus of Meynert may receive trophic support, in the form of NGF.…”