%0 Journal Article
%T Daidzein induces neuritogenesis in DRG neuronal cultures
%A Yang Shih-Hung
%A Liao Chih-Chen
%A Chen Ying
%A Syu Jhih-Pu
%J Journal of Biomedical Science
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1423-0127-19-80
%X Absract Background Daidzein, a phytoestrogen found in isoflavone, is known to exert neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on the nervous system. Using primary rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal cultures, we have examined the potential neurite outgrowth effect of daidzein. Methods Dissociated dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures were used to study the signaling mechanism of daidzein-induced neuritogenesis by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Results In response to daidzein treatment, DRG neurons showed a significant increase in total neurite length and in tip number per neuron. The neuritogenic effect of daidzein was significantly hampered by specific blockers for Src, protein kinase C delta (PKC¦Ä) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinases (MEK/ERK), but not by those for estrogen receptor (ER). Moreover, daidzein induced phosphorylation of Src, PKC¦Ä and ERK. The activation of PKC¦Ä by daidzein was attenuated in the presence of a Src kinase inhibitor, and that of ERK by daidzein was diminished in the presence of either a Src or PKC¦Ä inhibitor. Conclusion Daidzein may stimulate neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons depending on Src kinase, PKC¦Ä and ERK signaling pathway.
%K Daidzein
%K DRG neuronal culture
%K Neurite outgrowth
%K Signaling mechanism
%U http://www.jbiomedsci.com/content/19/1/80