Viability of the rotenone model in question

Animal models of Parkinson's disease: bridging the gap between disease hallmarks and research questions

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. More than 200 years after its first clinical description, PD remains a serious affliction that affects a growing proportion of the population. Prevailing treatments only alleviate symptoms; there is still neither a cure that targets the neurodegenerative processes nor therapies that modify the course of the disease. Over the past decades, several animal models have been developed to study PD. Although no model precisely recapitulates the pathology, they still provide valuable information that contributes to our understanding of the disease and the limitations of our treatment options. This review comprehensively summarizes the different animal models available for Parkinson's research, with a focus on those induced by drugs, neurotoxins, pesticides, genetic alterations, α-synuclein inoculation, and viral vector injections. We highlight their characteristics and ability to reproduce PD-like phenotypes. It is essential to realize that the strengths and weaknesses of each model and the induction technique at our disposal are determined by the research question being asked. Our review, therefore, seeks to better aid researchers by ensuring a concrete discernment of classical and novel animal models in PD research.

Rotenone-mediated changes in intracellular coenzyme A thioester levels: implications for mitochondrial dysfunction

Rotenone, an organic pesticide and potent mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, causes Parkinson-like neurodegeneration in rodents and is implicated in human Parkinson's disease. In this rapid report, rotenone induced a dose-dependent decrease in succinyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and increase in β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA in multiple human cell lines (IC(50) < 100 nM). Rotenone also inhibited [U-(13)C(6)]-glucose-derived [(13)C]-acetyl-CoA and [(13)C]-succinyl-CoA biosynthesis in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These changes are compatible with a compensatory metabolic rearrangement. Stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and CoA thioester isotopomer analysis provided insight into mechanisms of rotenone toxicity, which will facilitate the development of new biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction.