Effects of R-(-)-BPAP on the expressions of neurotrophins and their receptors in mesencephalic slices

R-(-)-1-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-2-propylaminopentane [R-(-)-BPAP] enhances electric field stimulation-induced release of Catecholamine from isolated brain stem and ameliorates motor deficits in rats. We evaluated the effects of R-(-)-BPAP on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and their receptors, TrkB and p75(NTR) in rat mesencephalic slice cultures. Levels of mRNA and protein were measured at 48 h after R-(-)-BPAP treatment by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. R-(-)-BPAP significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF, without affecting the level of NT-3 mRNA. In addition, R-(-)-BPAP significantly increased the mRNA level of TrkB, but not that of p75(NTR). These effects of R-(-)-BPAP may result in enhanced BDNF/TrkB signaling, and could thus underlie the potential neurotrophic and antidepressant actions of this drug.