Effects of MgSO4 and magnesium transporters on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced SH-SY5Y cells

Aims: The magnesium ion (Mg2+) fulfils several important functions for living organisms. We investigated whether there is a protective effect of MgSO4 on 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, and gained insight into the effects of cellular mRNA and protein expression of the magnesium transporters SLC41A1, NIPA1, MagT1 and CNNM2 on 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity. Main methods: The effect of MgSO4 on cell viability in 6-OHDA-treated SH-SY5Y cells was measured using a CCK-8 kit. The mRNA and protein expression of SLC41A1, NIPA1, MagT1, and CNNM2 were detected using reverse transcription-qPCR and Western blot. Key findings: The results showed that SH-SY5Y cells treated with 25-50 mu M 6-OHDA for 24 h significantly decreased cell viability, while if pre-incubated with 0.125- 1 mM MgSO4 for 1 h before adding 6-OHDA it partially prevented the cell damage. There was a significant decrease in cellular mRNA and protein expression of SLC41A1, NIPA1, MagT1 and CNNM2 in 6-OHDA treated SH-SY5Y cells, and MgSO4 can reverse its decline. Significance: Our results suggest that MgSO4 may protect SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced cell injury and that gene expression of SLC41A1, NIPA1, MagT1, and CNNM2 might be involved in dopaminergic neurons. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.