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Chen X, Chen H, Cai W, Maguire M, Ya B, Zuo F, Logan R, Li H, Robinson K, Vanderburg CR, Yu Y, Wang Y, Fisher DE, Schwarzschild MA. The melanoma-linked "redhead" MC1R influences dopaminergic neuron survival. Ann Neurol 2017; 81:395-406. [PMID: 28019657 DOI: 10.1002/ana.24852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with Parkinson disease are more likely to develop melanoma, and melanoma patients are reciprocally at higher risk of developing Parkinson disease. Melanoma is strongly tied to red hair/fair skin, a phenotype of loss-of-function polymorphisms in the MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) gene. Loss-of-function variants of MC1R have also been linked to increased risk of Parkinson disease. The present study is to investigate the role of MC1R in dopaminergic neurons in vivo. METHODS Genetic and pharmacological approaches were employed to manipulate MC1R, and nigrostriatal dopaminergic integrity was determined by comprehensive behavioral, neurochemical, and neuropathological measures. RESULTS MC1Re/e mice, which carry an inactivating mutation of MC1R and mimic the human redhead phenotype, have compromised nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal integrity, and they are more susceptible to dopaminergic neuron toxins 6-hydroxydopamine and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Furthermore, a selective MC1R agonist protects against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. INTERPRETATION Our findings reveal a protective role of MC1R in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, and they provide a rationale for MC1R as a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson disease. Together with its established role in melanoma, MC1R may represent a common pathogenic pathway for melanoma and Parkinson disease. Ann Neurol 2017;81:395-406.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqun Chen
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA.,Shanghai 10th Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxiang Chen
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Waijiao Cai
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Michael Maguire
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Bailiu Ya
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Fuxing Zuo
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Robert Logan
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Hui Li
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Katey Robinson
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Charles R Vanderburg
- Harvard Neurodiscovery Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - David E Fisher
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Michael A Schwarzschild
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
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