We have performed differential screening to identify genes participating in NMDA-induced
neuronal death. The gas1 (growth arrest-specific gene 1) gene, whose product is known to
inhibit cell cycle progression, was induced in cultured corticohippocampal neurons
committed to die after a brief exposure to NMDA. Overexpression of Gas1 in cultured
hippocampal neurons and in human neuroblastoma NB69 cells produced a marked
reduction in the number of viable cells. Furthermore, gas1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide …