Research ReportEffect of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine on dendritic spine dynamics in rat neocortical neurons - Involvement of heat shock protein 27

Along with chronic neurotoxic effects, the long-term consumption of amphetamines has been associated to psychiatric symptoms and memory disturbances. Dendritic spine dynamics have been discussed as a possible morphological correlate. However, the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), a major drug of abuse and a main metabolite after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake, provokes a loss of dendritic spine-like protrusions in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine also induced a rapid activation of the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway and phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) indicative for its decreased chaperone activity. Concurrent pharmacological inhibition of the p38 MAPK by SB203580 abolished hsp27 phosphorylation and diminished the loss of dendritic spine-like protrusions. Moreover, upon MDA treatment dendritic spine-like protrusions were stabilized in neurons constitutively expressing hsp27. In parallel experiments we observed a robust activation of the heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF-1) and a subsequent increase of hsp27 and hsp70. The regulation of small heat shock proteins corroborates the existence of a neuronal stress response after MDA treatment. Pharmacological targeting of small heat shock protein phosphorylation may provide a new strategy to preserve spine integrity after amphetamine exposure.

Research Highlights►3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine provokes a loss of dendritic spine-like protrusions in neurons. ►Loss of spine-like protrusions depends on phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein hsp27. ►Hsp27 is phosphorylated by activation of the p38 MAPK. ►MDA induces a delayed heat shock response in primary culture of cortical neurons.