Expression of Sam68 Associates with Neuronal Apoptosis and Reactive Astrocytes After Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigates the role of Sam68, an RNA-binding protein, in spinal cord injury (SCI). The researchers found that Sam68 protein levels increase significantly after SCI in rats, peaking around day 3 and returning to normal by day 14. Using staining techniques, they observed that Sam68 is present in neurons and astrocytes in the spinal cord. They also found that Sam68 colocalizes with active caspase-3 (a marker of cell death) in neurons and with PCNA (a marker of cell proliferation) in astrocytes. In lab experiments, reducing Sam68 levels inhibited neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte proliferation, suggesting that Sam68 plays a role in these processes after SCI. The researchers propose that Sam68 could be a potential drug target for treating SCI.

• 1
  Sam68 protein levels are significantly increased in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI), peaking at day 3 and returning to normal by day 14.
• 2
  Sam68 is widely expressed in neurons and astrocytes in the spinal cord, and its upregulation after SCI is predominant in these cell types.
• 3
  In vitro experiments showed that knockdown of Sam68 inhibits neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte proliferation, suggesting a role for Sam68 in these processes after SCI.