Transcriptional analysis of apoptotic cerebellar granule neurons following rescue by Gip, Sp, Pacap and Igf1

Primary cultures of Cerebellar Granule Neurons (CGNs) have been extensively utilized to examine the signal transduction mechanisms underlying neuronal apoptosis. We conducted whole-genome expression profiling to decipher the transcriptional program controlling the apoptotic/survival switch in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) following the induction of apoptosis by serum and potassium deprivation and their rescue by gastric inhibitory polypeptide (Gip), substance p (Sp), insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) or pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (Pacap). Our results reveal the transcriptional changes intersecting neuronal apoptosis and survival and form the basis for further functional analyses and pharmacological exploitation to identify neuroprotective drugs.