Microarray Analysis Of Gene Expression Profiles In Human Neuroblastoma Cells Exposed To A Beta-Zn And A Beta-Cu Complexes

Aims: Abnormal metal accumulation is associated with Alzheimer's disease and plays a relevant role in affecting amyloid-beta (A beta) peptide aggregation and neurotoxicity. Material & Methods: In the present study, employing a microarray analysis of 35,129 genes, we analyzed gene expression profile changes due to exposure to A beta(1-42) - Zn or A beta(1-42) -Cu complexes in neuronal-like cells (SH-SY5Y). Results: Microarray data indicated that A beta-Zn or A beta-Cu complexes selectively alter expression of genes mainly related to cell death, inflammatory responses, cytoprotective mechanisms and apoptosis. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings indicate that A beta(1-42) - Zn or A beta(1-42) - Cu show some commonalities in affecting Alzheimer's disease-related target functions. The overall modulatory activity on these genes supports the idea of a possible net effect resulting in the activation of pathways that counteract toxic effects of A beta-Zn or A beta-Cu.