Translocation of lysosomal cathepsin D caused by oxidative stress or proteasome inhibition in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes.

We reported previously that N-linked glycoproteins were accumulated in the cytosol of the normal aging rat brain, and that one protein had been identified as cathepsin D (Mech. Ageing Dev., 127, 771-778 (2006)). In this study, to elucidate the mechanism of cathepsin D accumulation in the cytosol, we examined the effects of oxidative stress and proteasome inhibition on the apoptosis and subcellular localization of cathepsin D in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes. Using 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)- or Hoechst 33342-staining and annexin V detection, we found that oxidative stress caused by tert-butyl hydroperoxide and proteasome inhibition by lactacystin induced apoptosis in neurons and astrocytes. Furthermore, after cell fractionation, it was demonstrated that cathepsin D was translocated from lysosomes to cytosol under apoptosis-inducing conditions in both cells. These results suggested that oxidative stress and the suppression of proteasome activity triggered the translocation of cathepsin D from lysosomes to cytosol. The possible mechanism of age-related accumulation of cathepsin D in the cytosol of the normal rat brain will be discussed.