Effects of Leptin on Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger in PC12 Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to be related to alterations in neuronal intracellular calcium activity ([Ca2+]i). The present study revealed the distinct role of leptin in Na+/Ca2+-exchanger activity. METHODS [Ca2+]i was determined utilizing Fura-2 fluorescence. The activity of NCX was measured by removal of extracellular Na+ in the presence of external Ca2+. Na+/Ca2+-exchanger activity was further quantified from whole cell currents following removal of extracellular Na+. Na+/Ca2+-exchanger isoform NCX1 transcript levels and protein abundance were quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS Exposure of PC12 cells to 30 µM amyloid (Aβ42) increased [Ca2+]i, an effect significantly blunted by 6 hours incubation with leptin before Aβ42 treatment. Moreover, leptin treatment significantly increased Na+/Ca2+-exchanger mediated Ca+ transport and current, NCX1 transcript level as well as NCX1 membrane protein abundance. CONCLUSION We show that leptin blunts Aβ42-evoked [Ca2+]i increase by increasing expression and activity of Na+/Ca2+-exchanger NCX1.