σ-1 Receptors Protect RGC-5 Cells from Apoptosis by Regulating Intracellular Calcium, Bax Levels, and Caspase-3 Activation

Abstract

The results suggest that sigma-1 receptors regulate intracellular calcium levels and prevent activation of proapoptotic genes, thus promoting retinal ganglion cell survival. The sigma-1 ligands appear to be neuroprotective and are a potential target for neuroprotective therapeutics.