Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Author: Hernán Ezequiel Hauché Pedernera | email: hernanhauche@gmail.com
Hernán Ezequiel Hauché Pedernera 1°, Pedro Ballestero 1°, Tomas Eidelman 1°, Melina Bordone 1°, Alejandra Bernardi 2°, Juan Ferrario 1°
1° Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Enfermedad de Parkinson, IB3, UBA-CONICET Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
2° Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas: Buenos Aires, AR
Neuroprotection is one of the key challenges in neurodegenerative disorders, therefore, understanding their mechanisms may help in the development of strategies to delay the process. Already identified neuroprotective compounds strongly help to reach such goal. We have demonstrated that Yerba mate (YM) enhances survival of dopaminergic neurons in primary mesencephalic cultures, similarly to green tea and coffee. These beverages have been negatively linked with development of Parkinsons disease. They share several active compounds, remarkably polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid (CGA). To investigate whether YM regulates intracellular mechanisms related with growth and survival of dopaminergic neurons, we focused on AMPK, a key signaling molecule involved in cell metabolism, strongly linked with neuroprotection and potentially activated by CGA. As a first step to test this hypothesis, we use the simplified model of SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. We have tested the phosphorylation status of AMPK at different concentrations and exposure times with an extract of YM and CGA. We have found that YM regulates AMPK which is relevant because of its role in paradigms of neuroprotection. Moreover, we will discuss additional preliminary results including treatment with CGA, as well the exploration of other regulatory molecules. Further work is still needed but we have already settled down the bases of a new experimental line with a clear projection in the short term.