MAP4343 is the 3-methylether derivative of Pregnenolone. MAP4343 binds in vitro to microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), stimulates the polymerization of tubulin, enhances the extension of neurites and protects neurons against neurotoxic agents[1][2].
MAP4343 (40 μM; 15 or 30 min) stimulates microtubule polymerization in vitro[1].MAP4343 (30 μM; 2-8 d) stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells[1].MAP4343 (20 μM; 1 h) protects against microtubule depolymerization induced by Nocodazole in PC12 cells[1]
MAP4343 (12 mg/kg; daily s.c. for 28 d) improves the recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats[2].MAP4343 (4 mg/kg; daily s.c. for 6 d) increases MAP2 levels in spinal cord after SCI in rats[2].MAP4343 (4 mg/kg; daily s.c. for 6 d) increases the size of lumbar spinal motoneurons' dendrite arbours after SCI in rats[2]. Animal Model: Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats with spinal cord injury[2]
[1]. Fontaine-Lenoir V, et, al. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is a neurosteroid receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Mar 21;103(12):4711-6. [2]. Duchossoy Y, et, al. Treatment of experimental spinal cord injury with 3β-methoxy-pregnenolone. Brain Res. 2011 Jul 27;1403:57-66.