The influence of S-(−)salsolinol treatment on the POMC gene expression in AtT20 mouse anterior pituitary tumor cells

Abstract

Condensation products of endogenous amines like dopamin and acetaldehyde as the first product in the catabolic pathway of alcohol, the Tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQ's), have become more and more interesting due to their possible role in the development of addiction. We have investigated the influence of the optical antipodes R-(+) and S-(−)Salsolinol both on the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression and on the ACTH secretion. Our results show a significant decrease of POMC gene expression caused by 1μmolar S-Salsolinol. while the ACTH release remained unchanged. The treatment with R-Salsolinol did not influence the POMC gene transcription. A combination of 1μmolar R- or S-Salsolinol and 1μmolar ascorbic acid was used to prevent the oxydation of TIQ's. In this case the POMC mRNA remained uneffected, indicating the fact, that an oxidation product of Salsolinol could be responsible for the POMC gene down regulation.