Nuclear translocation of DJ-1 protects adult neuronal stem cells in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Redox Modulation of Mitochondrial Proteins in the Neurotoxicant Models of Parkinson's Disease

Significance: Mitochondrial proteins regulate the oxidative phosphorylation, cellular metabolism, and free radical generation. Redox modulation alters the mitochondrial proteins and instigates the damage to dopaminergic neurons. Toxicants contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis in conjunction with aging and genetic factors. While oxidative modulation of a number of mitochondrial proteins is linked to xenobiotic exposure, little is known about its role in the toxicant-induced PD. Understanding the role of redox modulation of mitochondrial proteins in complex cellular events leading to neurodegeneration is highly relevant. Recent Advances: Many toxicants are shown to inhibit complex I or III and elicit free radical production that alters the redox status of mitochondrial proteins. Implication of redox modulation of the mitochondrial proteins makes them a target to comprehend the underlying mechanism of toxicant-induced PD. Critical Issues: Owing to multifactorial etiology, exploration of onset and progression and treatment outcomes needs a comprehensive approach. The article explains about a few mitochondrial proteins that undergo redox changes along with the promising strategies, which help to alleviate the toxicant-induced redox imbalance leading to neurodegeneration. Future Directions: Although mitochondrial proteins are linked to PD, their role in toxicant-induced parkinsonism is not yet completely known. Preservation of antioxidant defense machinery could alleviate the redox modulation of mitochondrial proteins. Targeted antioxidant delivery, use of metal chelators, and activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and combinational therapy that encounters multiple free radicals, could ameliorate the redox modulation of mitochondrial proteins and thereby PD progression.

Decoding the Role of Familial Parkinson’s Disease-Related Genes in DNA Damage and Repair

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons and the formation of Lewy bodies. Over the years, researchers have gained extensive knowledge about dopaminergic neuron degeneration from the perspective of the environmental and disease-causing genetic factors; however, there is still no disease-modifying therapy. Aging has long been recognized as a major risk factor for PD; however, little is known about how aging contributes to the disease development. Genome instability is the main driving force behind aging, and has been poorly studied in patients with PD. Here, we summarize the evidence for nuclear DNA damage in PD. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of nuclear DNA damage and repair in PD, especially from the perspective of familial PD-related mutant genes. Understanding the significance of DNA damage and repair may provide new potential intervention targets for treating PD.

DJ-1 Protein and Its Role in the Development of Parkinson's Disease: Studies on Experimental Models

DJ-1, also known as Parkinson's disease protein 7, is a multifunctional protein ubiquitously expressed in cells and tissues. Interacting with proteins of various intracellular compartments, DJ-1 plays an important role in maintaining different cellular functions. Mutant DJ-1 forms containing amino acid substitutions (especially L166P), typical of Parkinson's disease, are characterized by impaired dimerization, stability, and folding. DJ-1 exhibits several types of catalytic activity; however, in the enzyme classification it exists as protein deglycase (EC 3.5.1.124). Apparently, in different cell compartments DJ-1 exhibits catalytic and non-catalytic functions, and their ratio still remains unknown. Oxidative stress promotes dissociation of cytoplasmic DJ-1 dimers into monomers, which are translocated to the nucleus, where this protein acts as a coactivator of various signaling pathways, preventing cell death. In mitochondria, DJ-1 is found in the synthasome, where it interacts with the β ATP synthase subunit. Downregulation of the DJ-1 gene under conditions of experimental PD increases sensitivity of the cells to neurotoxins, and introduction of the recombinant DJ-1 protein attenuates manifestation of this pathology. The thirteen-membered fragment of the DJ-1 amino acid sequence attached to the heptapeptide of the TAT protein penetrating into the cells exhibited neuroprotective properties in various PD models both in cell cultures and after administration to animals. Low molecular weight DJ-1 ligands also demonstrate therapeutic potential, providing neuroprotective effects seen during their incubation with cells and administration to animals.

Loss of MeCP2 in immature neurons leads to impaired network integration

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations or deletions in Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MeCP2), a brain-enriched transcriptional regulator. MeCP2 is highly expressed during neuronal maturation and its deficiency results in impaired dendritic morphogenesis and reduced dendritic spine numbers in developing neurons. However, whether MeCP2 deficiency impacts the integration of new neurons has not been directly assessed. In this study, we developed a modified rabies virus-mediated monosynaptic retrograde tracing method to interrogate presynaptic integration of MeCP2-deficient new neurons born in the adult hippocampus, a region with lifelong neurogenesis and plasticity. We found that selective deletion of MeCP2 in adult-born new neurons impaired their long-range connectivity to the cortex, whereas their connectivity within the local hippocampal circuits or with subcortical regions was not significantly affected. We further showed that knockdown of MeCP2 in primary hippocampal neurons also resulted in reduced network integration. Interestingly, (1-3) insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a small peptide under clinical trial testing for RTT, rescued neuronal integration deficits of MeCP2-deficient neurons in vitro but not in vivo. In addition, (1-3) IGF-1 treatment corrected aberrant excitability and network synchrony of MeCP2-deficient hippocampal neurons. Our results indicate that MeCP2 is essential for immature neurons to establish appropriate network connectivity.