Glutamate-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells is mediated via caspase-dependent and independent mechanisms involving calpain and caspase-3 proteases as well as apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and this process is inhibited by equine estrogens

摘要: Background Glutamate, a major excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter, causes apoptotic neuronal cell death at high concentrations. Our previous studies have shown that depending on the type, glutamate-induced was associated with regulation of genes such as Bcl-2, Bax, and/or caspase-3 and mitochondrial cytochrome c. To further delineate intracellular mechanisms, we investigated role calpain, an important calcium-dependent protease thought to be involved in apoptosis along inducing factor (AIF) primary cortical cells mouse hippocampal line HT22.