Salsolinol: an Unintelligible and Double-Faced Molecule-Lessons Learned from In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments

Salsolinol (1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline) is a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative whose presence in humans was first detected in the urine of Parkinsonian patients on l-DOPA (l-dihydroxyphenylalanine) medication. Thus far, multiple hypotheses regarding its physiological/pathophysiological roles have been proposed, especially related to Parkinson’s disease or alcohol addiction. The aim of this review was to outline studies related to salsolinol, with special focus on in vivo and in vitro experimental models. To begin with, the chemical structure of salsolinol together with its biochemical implications and the role in neurotransmission are discussed. Numerous experimental studies are summarized in tables and the most relevant ones are stressed. Finally, the ability of salsolinol to cross the blood–brain barrier and its possible double-faced neurobiological potential are reviewed.

Modification and inactivation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase by the lipid peroxidation product, acrolein

Acrolein is the most reactive aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation and is found to be elevated in the brain when oxidative stress is high. The effects of acrolein on the structure and function of human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) were examined. When Cu,Zn-SOD was incubated with acrolein, the covalent crosslinking of the protein was increased, and the loss of enzymatic activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and copper chelators inhibited the acrolein-mediated Cu,Zn-SOD modification and the formation of carbonyl compound. The present study shows that ROS may play a critical role in acrolein-induced Cu,Zn-SOD modification and inactivation. When Cu,Zn-SOD that has been exposed to acrolein was subsequently analyzed by amino acid analysis, serine, histidine, arginine, threonine and lysine residues were particularly sensitive. It is suggested that the modification and inactivation of Cu,Zn-SOD by acrolein could be produced by more oxidative cell environments.

Salsolinol, a catechol neurotoxin, induces oxidative modification of cytochrome c

Methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (salsolinol), an endogenous neurotoxin, is known to perform a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we evaluated oxidative modification of cytochrome c occurring after incubation with salsolinol. When cytochrome c was incubated with salsolinol, protein aggregation increased in a dosedependent manner. The formation of carbonyl compounds and the release of iron were obtained in salsolinol- treated cytochrome c. Salsolinol also led to the release of iron from cytochrome c. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and iron specific chelator inhibited the salsolinol-mediated cytochrome c modification and carbonyl compound formation. It is suggested that oxidative damage of cytochrome c by salsolinol might induce the increase of iron content in cells, subsequently leading to the deleterious condition which was observed. This mechanism may, in part, provide an explanation for the deterioration of organs under neurodegenerative disorders such as PD. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(2): 119-123]

Alpha-synuclein overexpression induced mitochondrial damage by the generation of endogenous neurotoxins in PC12 cells

Alpha-synuclein is one of the important components of Lewy body which involved in neuropathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). The relationship between α-synuclein and cell death is still unclear. In the study, PC12 cell, stably over expressing α-synuclein model was used, and we investigated the level of intracellular oxidative stress, dopamine and endogenous neurotoxin. The results showed that the level of oxidative stress and intracytoplasmic dopamine (DA) was increased in cells over expressing α-synuclein compared with normal PC12 cells. Simultaneously, additional generation of endogenous neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (salsolinol) and 1(R),2(N)-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin (NM-salsolinol) was detected and this phenomenon was exacerbated after exposed to H₂O₂ for 24 h, but mitigated when treated with dopamine synthesis inhibitors. The presence of endogenous neurotoxins exacerbated α-synuclein induced mitochondrial damage. These results suggest that the endogenous neurotoxins may become a bridge between α-synuclein and cell death.