Primary cilium acts as an oxygen sensor in PC12 cells / 浙江大学学报·医学版

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the function of primary cilium as an oxygen sensor in PC12 cells. Methods: The PC12 cells were transfected with IFT88 siRNA. The nuclear translocation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and ciliogenesis were observed by immunofluorescence staining; and the mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, Nrf2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results: The ciliogenesis was inhibited in PC12 cells transfected with IFT88 siRNA. In hypoxia group and scramble control group, nuclear translocations of HIF-1α and Nrf2 were observed and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, Nrf2, VEGF were increased, and those of SOD were decreased. While in PC12 cells transfected with IFT88 siRNA, nuclear translocations of HIF-1α and Nrf2 were not observed, and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, Nrf2, VEGF were inhibited, and mRNA expression of SOD was increased. Conclusion: Primary cilia may act as an oxygen sensor to transfer the information related to hypoxia and oxidative stress into cells, activating intracellular defense mechanism against the hypoxic injuries.