The galanin receptor 2/3 agonist Gal2-11 protects the SN56 cells against beta-amyloid 25-35 toxicity.

The neuropeptide galanin is a modulator of cholinergic function and may play a role in A beta peptide-induced degeneration of cholinergic forebrain neurons. We have studied the effect of galanin and its galanin receptor subtype 2/3 agonist Gal2-11on toxicity induced by freshly-prepared beta-amyloid(25-35) in the cholinergic cell line SN56. Both nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 expression were analysed. beta-amyloid(25-35)-exposure induced a significant increase in caspase-3 mRNA expression after 30, 60, 90 or 150 min of beta-amyloid(25-35) exposure. These effects were abolished in the presence of Gal2-11 (10 nM). Similarly, beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced nuclear fragmentation was prevented by the galanin agonist at all time points studied. These findings indicate that the galanin 2/3 agonist Gal2-11 protects SN56 cholinergic cells from beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced cell death and that this action is mediated by an early reduction of caspase-3 expression. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.