SAG protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity via the downregulation of ROS generation and JNK signaling

Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG), a novel zinc RING finger protein, exhibits anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activity against a variety of redox reagents. In the present study, we have determined that SAG suppresses 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced neurotoxicity via the downregulation of ROS generation and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) activity. Both transient and constitutively overexpressed SAG were found to inhibit the MPP+-induced neurotoxicity of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. In the SAG-expressing cells, MPP+ induced ROS generation was suppressed to a significant degree as compared to the cells treated only with MPP+. MPP+-induced JNK1 activation was also determined to be suppressed markedly by SAG. Furthermore, SAG inhibits MEKK1 dependent c-Jun transcription activity in SH-SY5Y cells. Thus, we concluded that SAG is a cellular protective molecule, which appears to function as an antioxidant, suppressing MPP+-induced neurotoxicity.