Figure 4.
Aβ-induced apoptosis involves Smac release from mitochondria to cytosol in neuron cultures. A, Primary neuron cultures were exposed to vehicle (Ctrl) or 25 μm Aβ25-35 for 6-48 h. Levels of Smac in mitochondrial (Mt) and cytosolic (Cyt) extracts were analyzed by Western blot. B, Neuron cultures were pretreated for 1 h with 0 or 40 μm of the caspase 9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK followed by exposure to 25 μm Aβ25-35 for 48 h. Data show mean ± SEM cell viability from a representative experiment (n = 3). Significance is defined as **p < 0.01 in comparison to Aβ condition.