Sodium Tungstate Promotes Neurite Outgrowth and Confers Neuroprotection in Neuro2a and SH-SY5Y Cells

Sodium tungstate (Na WO ) normalizes glucose metabolism in the liver and muscle, activating the Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. Because this pathway controls neuronal survival and differentiation, we investigated the effects of Na WO in mouse Neuro2a and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma monolayer cell cultures. Na WO promotes differentiation to cholinergic neurites via an increased G1/G0 cell cycle in response to the synergic activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In Neuro2a cells, Na WO increases protein synthesis by activating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6K kinases and GLUT3-mediated glucose uptake, providing the energy and protein synthesis needed for neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, Na WO increased the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a member of a family of transcription factors involved in neuronal survival and plasticity, through a post-translational mechanism that increases its half-life. Site-directed mutations of residues involved in the sumoylation of the protein abrogated the positive effects of Na WO on the MEF2D-dependent transcriptional activity. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of Na WO were evaluated in the presence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs diminished neurite differentiation owing to a reduction in the G1/G0 cell cycle, concomitant with lower expression of MEF2D and the GLUT3 transporter. These negative effects were corrected in both cell lines after incubation with Na WO These findings support the role of Na WO in neuronal plasticity, albeit further experiments using 3D cultures, and animal models will be needed to validate the therapeutic potential of the compound.