Acid Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels belonging to the degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel (DEG/ENaC) superfamily. There are at least four genes that encode six alternatively spliced transcripts: ASIC1a, ASIC1b, ASIC2a, ASIC2b, ASIC3 and ASIC4. ASIC1a, a primary subunit expressed in the central and peripheral neurons, is highly sensitive to decreases in extracellular pH. Activation of ASIC1a plays an important role in acidosis mediated ischemia brain injury. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants and consequent excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is well-known that the production of ROS is increased following brain ischemia. The goal of this research is to study whether long-term oxidative stress can affect the expression of ASIC1a. NS20Y cells were treated to examine the long-term effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a common form of ROS, for 24 hour and 48-hour periods. Western blot was used to detect expression changes of ASIC1a protein. Understanding the ways in which oxidative stress and ASICs are related to stroke injury may help to find future treatments and develop preventive protocols to avoid exacerbated stroke damage.
