The Effects Of TSPG On Differentiation Of PC12 Cells And Relative Mechanism In Vitro

Objective:To study the potential ability of TSPG(total saponin of panax ginseng) to induce the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.On this base,to further explore the activation of ERK1/2 cascade induced by TSPG.Methods:PC12 cells were cultured in vitro, and their morphological changes under the TSPG at different concentration(0mg/L,10mg/L,20mg/L,40mg/L,80mg/L) were observed. The synaptic linkage were observed by transmitting electronic microscope after the PC12 cells were exposed to TSPG for 48h and the expression of MAP-2,GAP-43 were detected by immunocytochemistry and western blotting technique after 72h.In order to explore the signaling pathways involved in the differentiation induced by TSPG,western blotting was performed to detect the activities of ERK1/2 in PC12 cells activated by different concentrations of TSPG for 72h .Using PD98059,a specific blocker of ERK1/2 to analysis the role of ERK signaling pathways involved in the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells induced by TSPG. Results:1.The length of neurite and max diameter of PC12 cells in TSPG groups were obviously longer and bigger than those in control group and the number of the differentiared PC12 cells increased. Meanwile, immunocytochemistry and western blotting showed that the protein level of GAP-43 and MAP-2 was up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner.2. TSPG can induce PC12 cells forms the synaptic linkage.3.TSPG activated ERK1/2 in PC12 cells by dose-effect relation.And PD98059 significantly inhibited TSPG-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2.Conclusion:TSPG can induce the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells,and this differentiation may be mediated through ERK1/2 phosphorylation cascade potentially.