Identification of the neuroprotective molecular region of pigment epithelium-derived factor and its binding sites on motor neurons.

ABSTRACT: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family, is a survival factor for various types of neurons. We studied the mechanisms by which human PEDF protects motor neurons from degeneration, with the goal of eventually conducting human clinical trials. We first searched for a molecular region of human PEDF essential to motor neuron protection. Using a spinal cord culture model of chronic glutamate toxicity, we show herein that a synthetic 44 mer peptide from an N-terminal region of the human PEDF molecule that lacks the homologous serpin-reactive region contains its full neuroprotective activity. We also investigated the presence and distribution of PEDF receptors in the spinal cord. Using a fluoresceinated PEDF probe, we show that spinal mo

SUBMITTER: Bilak MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6758058 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature