Valproic Acid Protects Primary Dopamine Neurons from MPP⁺-Induced Neurotoxicity: Involvement of GSK3β Phosphorylation by Akt and ERK through the Mitochondrial Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Figure 2

VPA reversed MPP⁺-induced activation of mitochondrial apoptosis signaling in DA neurons. VPA (0.6 mM) was given to cultured DA neurons after treatment with 10 µM MPP⁺ for 48 h at DIV4. (a) Western blot analysis of proapoptotic Bax, antiapoptotic Bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3, (b and c) quantification of expression of proapoptotic protein Bax and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, (d) cytochrome c release in the cytoplasm, and (e and f) relative amount of cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3. β-Actin expression was used as the internal control. Results were obtained from six independent experiments. .

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