We investigated the effects of (鈭?-OSU6162 on huntingtin knocked-in striatal neurons in culture. Control neurons had normal full-length huntingtin with 7 glutamines while 鈥渕utant鈥?neurons had large expansions (Q = 111). We studied the dose-effect curves of (鈭?-OSU6162 on mitochondrial activity, LDH levels, necrosis and apoptosis in untreated Q7 and Q111 cells. In addition, we investigated the effects of (鈭?-OSU6162 on Q7 and Q111 neurons challenged with different neurotoxins such as sodium glutamate, H<sub>2sub>O<sub>2sub>, rotenone and 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP). As we found prevention of toxicity of some of these neurotoxins, we investigated the putative neuroprotective mechanisms of action of (鈭?-OSU6162 measuring the effects of this dopaminergic stabilizer on expression and release of BDNF, the ratios of Bcl2/Bax proteins and of p-ERK/ERK, the levels of chaperones and GSH, and the effects of (鈭?-OSU6162 on dopamine uptake and release.
We found that (鈭?-OSU6162, 3-150 渭M, produces a dose dependent increase of mitochondrial activity and a reduction of cell death. (鈭?-OSU6162 does not change glutamate toxicity, but it partially prevents that of H<sub>2sub>O<sub>2sub>, rotenone and 3-nitropropionic acid. (鈭?-OSU6162 increases the intracellular levels of BDNF and Bcl2/Bax and decreases those of p-ERK/ERK and CHIP in Q111 cells. (鈭?-OSU6162 increased <sup>3sup>H-dopamine uptake and amphetamine-induced <sup>3sup>H-dopamine release in E13 mouse mid brain neurons.
Our studies demonstrate that (鈭?-OSU6162 improves survival and mitochondrial function in striatal Q111 neurons and the resistance of these cells to several striatal neurotoxins, suggesting that (鈭?-OSU6162 and related compounds should be tested for neuroprotection in animal models and, eventually, in patients with HD.