Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0030567 (Parkinson's disease)
 63,064 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Recent etiological study in twins (Tanner et al. 1999) strongly suggests that environmental factors play an important role in typical, non-familial Parkinson's disease (PD), beginning after age 50. Epidemiological risk factor analyses of typical PD cases have identified several neurotoxicants, including MPP(+) (the active metabolite of MPTP), paraquat, dieldrin, manganese and salsolinol. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these neurotoxic agents might induce cell death in our nigral dopaminergic cell line, SN4741 (Son et al. 1999) through a common molecular mechanism. Our initial experiments revealed that treatment with both MPP(+) and the other PD-related neurotoxicants induced apoptotic cell death in SN4741 cells, following initial increases of H(2)O(2)-related ROS activity and subsequent activation of JNK1/2 MAP kinases. Moreover, we have demonstrated that during dopaminergic cell death cascades, MPP(+), the neurotoxicants and an oxidant, H(2)O(2) equally induce the ROS-dependent events. Remarkably, the oxidant treatment alone induced similar sequential molecular events: ROS increase, activation of JNK MAP kinases, activation of the PITSLRE kinase, p110, by both Caspase-1 and Caspase-3-like activities and apoptotic cell death. Pharmacological intervention using the combination of the antioxidant Trolox and a pan-caspase inhibitor Boc-(Asp)-fmk (BAF) exerted significant neuroprotection against ROS-induced dopaminergic cell death. Finally, the high throughput cDNA microarray screening using the current model identified downstream response genes, such as heme oxygenase-1, a constituent of Lewy bodies, that can be the useful biomarkers to monitor the pathological conditions of dopaminergic neurons under neurotoxic insult.
 ...
PMID:Dopaminergic cell death induced by MPP(+), oxidant and specific neurotoxicants shares the common molecular mechanism. 1118 20

Embryonic mouse striatal neurons and human neurons derived from the NT2/hNT stem cell line can be induced, in culture, to express the dopaminergic (DA) biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The novel expression of TH in these cells is signaled by the synergistic interaction of factors present in the media, such as fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and one of several possible coactivators [DA, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), or forskolin]. Similarly, in vivo, it has recently been reported that the expression of TH in the developing midbrain is mediated by the synergy of FGF8 and the patterning molecule sonic hedgehog (Shh). In the present study, we examined whether the putative in vivo DA differentiation factors can similarly signal TH in our in vitro cell systems. We found that FGF8 and Shh induced TH expression in fewer than 2% of NT2/hNT cells and less than 5% of striatal neurons. The latter could be amplified to as much as 30% by increasing the concentration of growth factor 10-fold or by the addition of other competent coactivators (IBMX/forskolin, TPA, and DA). Additivity/inhibitor experiments indicated that FGF8 worked through traditional tyrosine kinase-initiated MAP/MEK signaling pathways. However, the Shh signal transduction cascade remained unclear. These data suggest that cues effective in vivo may be less successful in promoting the differentiation of a DA phenotype in mouse and human neurons in culture. Thus, our ability to generate DA neurons from different cell lines, for use in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, will depend on the identification of appropriate differentiation signals for each cell type under investigation.
 ...
PMID:Sonic hedgehog and FGF8: inadequate signals for the differentiation of a dopamine phenotype in mouse and human neurons in culture. 1131 56

Mn is a neurotoxin that leads to a syndrome resembling Parkinson's disease after prolonged exposure to high concentrations. Our laboratory has been investigating the mechanism by which Mn induces neuronal cell death. To accomplish this, we have utilized rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells as a model since they possess much of the biochemical machinery associated with dopaminergic neurons. Mn, like nerve growth factor (NGF), can induce neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells but Mn-induced cell differentiation is dependent on its interaction with the cell surface integrin receptors and basement membrane proteins, vitronectin or fibronectin. Similar to NGF, Mn-induced neurite outgrowth is dependent on the phosphorylation and activation of the MAP kinases, ERK1 and 2 (p44/42). Unlike NGF, Mn is also cytotoxic having an IC50 value of approximately 600 microM. Although many apoptotic signals are turned on by Mn, cell death is caused ultimately by disruption of mitochondrial function leading to loss of ATP. RT-PCR and immunoblotting studies suggest that some uptake of Mn into PC12 cells depends on the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). DMT1 exists in two isoforms resulting from alternate splicing of a single gene product with one of the two mRNA species containing an iron response element (IRE) motif downstream from the stop codon. The presence of the IRE provides a binding site for the iron response proteins (IRP1 and 2); binding of either of these proteins could stabilize DMT1 mRNA and would increase expression of the +IRE form of the transporter. Iron and Mn compete for transport into PC12 cells via DMT1, so removal of iron from the culture media enhances Mn toxicity. The two isoforms of DMT1 (+/-IRE) are distributed in different subcellular compartments with the -IRE species selectively present in the nucleus of neuronal and neuronal-like cells.
 ...
PMID:Mechanisms of manganese-induced rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell death and cell differentiation. 1222 55

Iometopane [(123)I beta-CIT, GPI 200, RTI 55], a tropane derivative labelled with iodine-123, is a dopamine imaging agent that was under development with Guilford Pharmaceuticals (as Dopascan Injection) for the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Neurochemical imaging with iometopane using conventional single photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) provided images of the brain for the distinguished diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The ability of iometopane to bind to the dopamine transporter on presynaptic dopaminergic nerve terminal in the striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen) has been used to differentiate the uptake of the agent by the neurons in the striatum in patients with a Parkinsonian disorder (Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy) from patients without a Parkinsonian disorder (essential tremor and healthy controls) with high sensitivity and specificity. The diminished uptake of iometopane in the striatum on the SPECT images of patients with a Parkinsonian disorder can be applied to assess both disease trait and disease state (severity) reflected by the severity of the brain dopamine neuron loss. The rate of clinical progression of Parkinson's disease varies greatly and is currently unpredictable. Imaging with iometopane provides the opportunity to evaluate patients longitudinally from early to late disease using an objective biomarker for dopamine nerve cell degeneration. Diagnostic imaging with Dopascan Injection is thought to differentiate Parkinson's disease from other forms of tremor, eliminate tests such as MRI and CT scans, unnecessary and inappropriate medications (psychotropics), and significantly reduce the number of people remaining on Parkinson's disease medications for life, despite not having Parkinson's disease. Guilford Pharmaceuticals acquired the licence for iometopane from the Research Triangle Institute, US, and sub-licensed it to Daiichi Radioisotope Laboratories for marketing, sales and distribution in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. In July 2003, Daiichi Radioisotope Laboratories paid a milestone payment of $0.55 million to Guilford after filing an application for approval in Japan. In January 2002, Guilford signed an exclusive European development, marketing and sales and distribution agreement for iometopane with MAP Medical Technologies of Finland. Under the terms of the agreement, MAP Medical Technologies will assume responsibility for regulatory approvals, manufacturing, marketing and selling the agent in all member states of the EU and other selected markets. In return, Guilford will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments and royalties on future sales in these territories. In July 2002, MAP Medical Technologies become a subsidiary of Schering AG. In March 2002, Guilford Pharmaceuticals sublicensed iometopane to Molecular Neuroimaging LLC (MNI) of Connecticut, USA. Under the terms of the agreement, MNI will pay a royalty for each administration of iometopane, and also provide Guilford Pharmaceuticals with favourable pricing for the services (including administration of iometopane) for any clinical trials of Guilford's product candidates. This agreement will be terminated upon the US FDA's approval of the product candidate for marketing and sale in the US. Guilford has retained commercial rights to Dopascan Injection in the US. MAP Medical Technologies (Schering AG) submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) in Finland for European approval of iometopane for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in April 2002. Daiichi Radioisotope Laboratories filed an application for approval of iometopane (Dopascan Injection) for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in Japan in July 2003. Guilford Pharmaceuticals is conducting a phase II clinical trial in 200 patients with Parkinson's disease where iometopane imaging is used to assess the effectiveness of GPI 1485, an investigational drug candidate, at baseline and at one year and two years after treatment with either GPI 1485 or placebo. The enrolment is expected to be completed in Q3 of 2003. Guint with either GPI 1485 or placebo. The enrolment is expected to be completed in Q3 of 2003. Guilford Pharmaceuticals decided not to proceed with phase III clinical trials and further development of iometopane due to its inability to contract a suitable manufacturer for the clinical and commercial supply of iometopane on acceptable conditions in the US. Guilford Pharmaceuticals obtained the patent coverage for iometopane in the US, Australia and Europe (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and Greece). Separate filings were made in Finland, Norway, Japan, Canada and Korea. The manufacturing methods of Dopascan are protected by patents in the US and Europe. Dopascan is a registered trademark in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.
 ...
PMID:Iometopane: (123)I beta-CIT, dopascan injection, GPI 200, RTI 55. 1295 3

Oxidative stress caused by various stimuli lead to oxidation of glutathione (GSH), the major redox power of the cell. Amyloid beta [Abeta(1-42)] is one of the key components of senile plaques and is involved in the progress initiation and triggers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lower GSH levels correlated with the activation of mitogen-activated proteins kinases (MAPK) have been demonstrated in AD, Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders and have been proposed to play a central role in the deterioration of the aging and neurodegenerative brain. In this study, we evaluated the ability of low molecular weight thiol amides, N-acetyl cysteine amide (AD4) that replenishes GSH levels, N-acetyl glycine cysteine amide (AD7) and N-acetyl-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-amide (CB4) to protect primary neuronal culture against the oxidative and neurotoxic effects of Abeta(1-42) and to inhibit cisplatin- and hydrogen-peroxide-induced phosphorylation of two MAP kinases (MAPK), p38 and ERK1/2, in NIH3T3 cells. Cell death induced by Abeta(1-42) in primary neuronal cells was reversed by the thiol amides. Likewise, protein oxidation, loss of mitochondrial function and DNA fragmentation all returned to control levels by pretreatment with the three thiol amides. Elevated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 induced by cisplatin or H2O2 in NIH3T3 cells was lowered by AD4, AD7 and CB4 in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that the thiol amides AD4, AD7 and CB4 protect neuronal cells against Abeta(1-42) toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress in correlation with inhibiting the MAPK phosphorylation cascade. These results are consistent with the notion that these small molecular thiol amides may play a viable protective role in the oxidative and neurotoxicity induced by Abeta(1-42) in AD brain.
 ...
PMID:Low molecular weight thiol amides attenuate MAPK activity and protect primary neurons from Abeta(1-42) toxicity. 1638 19

Alpha-synuclein is an abundant neuronal protein that has been linked to both normal synaptic function and neurodegeneration--in particular, Parkinson's disease (PD). Uncovering mechanisms that control alpha-synuclein transcription is therefore critical for PD pathogenesis and synaptic function. We previously reported that in PC12 cells and primary neurons, alpha-synuclein is transcriptionally up-regulated after application of growth factors. In the current work we have characterized the pathway involved in this regulation in PC12 cells. The MAP/ERK pathway, and in particular Ras, is both sufficient and necessary for the NGF and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) -mediated response. Significantly, response elements for this pathway, including a putative occult promoter, lie within intron 1, a hitherto unappreciated regulatory region of the gene that may be utilized in this or other settings. The PI3 kinase pathway is also involved in alpha-synuclein regulation, but response elements for this pathway appear to lie primarily outside of intron 1. These findings indicate that NGF- and bFGF-mediated signal transduction via the MAP/ERK and PI3 kinase pathways, and in part via regulatory regions within intron 1, may be involved in alpha-synuclein transcriptional regulation. Targeting of these pathways may serve to modulate alpha-synuclein so that it achieves desirable levels within neuronal cells.
 ...
PMID:A novel pathway for transcriptional regulation of alpha-synuclein. 1716 67

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) cause late-onset Parkinson's disease indistinguishable from idiopathic disease. The mechanisms whereby missense alterations in the LRRK2 gene initiate neurodegeneration remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that seven of 10 suspected familial-linked mutations result in increased kinase activity. Functional and disease-associated mutations in conserved residues reveal the critical link between intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity and downstream kinase activity. LRRK2 kinase activity requires GTPase activity, whereas GTPase activity functions independently of kinase activity. Both LRRK2 kinase and GTPase activity are required for neurotoxicity and potentiate peroxide-induced cell death, although LRRK2 does not function as a canonical MAP-kinase-kinase-kinase. These results suggest a link between LRRK2 kinase activity and pathogenic mechanisms relating to neurodegeneration, further supporting a gain-of-function role for LRRK2 mutations.
 ...
PMID:Parkinson's disease-associated mutations in LRRK2 link enhanced GTP-binding and kinase activities to neuronal toxicity. 1720 Jan 52

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Dopamine is a highly toxic compound leading to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). DJ-1 mutations lead to early-onset inherited PD. Here, we show that DJ-1 protects against dopamine toxicity. Dopamine-exposure led to upregulation of DJ-1. Overexpression of DJ-1 increased cell resistance to dopamine toxicity and reduced intracellular ROS. Contrary effects were achieved when DJ-1 levels were reduced by siRNA. Similarly, in vivo striatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine led to upregulation of DJ-1. Upregulation of DJ-1 was mediated by the MAP kinases pathway through activation of ERK 1, 2 in vitro and in vivo. Hence, oxidative stress, generated by free cytoplasmic dopamine, leads to upregulation of DJ-1 through the MAP kinases pathway. This mechanism elucidates how mutations in DJ-1 prompt PD and imply that modulation of DJ-1 may serve as a novel neuroprotective modality.
 ...
PMID:DJ-1 protects against dopamine toxicity. 1897 21

Neuroprotective effects of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists are mediated via the alpha(2A)AR subtype, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these actions are still not elucidated. A two-hybrid screen was performed to identify new proteins that may control alpha(2)AR receptor function and trafficking. This screen identified the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase-L1 (Uch-L1), a protein associated with Parkinson's disease, as alpha(2)AR interacting protein. This interaction was confirmed and evaluated by GST pull down assays demonstrating that Uch-L1 binds preferentially to the alpha(2A)AR subtype and only with less affinity to alpha(2B)AR and alpha(2C)AR. Co-immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged proteins confirmed the specificity of this interaction in vivo. Moreover, co-transfection of a truncated G-protein coupled receptor kinase-DNA preventing alpha(2)AR phosphorylation led to an increased signal-strength of coimmunoprecipitated Uch-L1. Confocal laser microscopy showed that interaction of alpha(2A)AR and Uch-L1 occurred in the cytoplasm. alpha(2)AR agonist mediated activation of p44/42 MAP Kinase was drastically decreased in the presence of Uch-L1 indicating a functional relevance of this interaction. These findings may present a mechanism contributing to subtype-specific alpha(2)AR trafficking and a potential pathway for the neuroprotective effects of alpha(2)AR agonists.
 ...
PMID:Interaction of the ubiquitin carboxyl terminal esterase L1 with alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors inhibits agonist-mediated p44/42 MAP kinase activation. 1947 70

Anti-inflammatory strategies receive growing attention for their potential to prevent pathological deterioration in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, which is accompanied by inflammatory reactions that might play a critical role in the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons. We investigated the influence of dexamethasone - a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoids class of steroid hormones that acts as an anti-inflammatory - on the degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons of rats observed after intranigral injection of thrombin, a serine protease that induces inflammation through microglia proliferation and activation. We evaluated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons as well as astroglial and microglial populations; dexamethasone prevented the loss of astrocytes but was unable to stop microglial proliferation induced by thrombin. Moreover, dexamethasone produced alterations in the levels of nexin and the thrombin receptor PAR-1, and facilitated accumulation of alpha-synuclein induced by thrombin in dopaminergic neurons. Dexamethasone increased oxidative stress and expression of monoamine oxidase A and B, along with changes on different MAP kinases related to degenerative processes, resulting in a bigger loss of dopaminergic neurons after intranigral injection of thrombin in dexamethasone-treated animals. It is interesting to ascertain that inhibition of monoamine oxidase by tranylcypromine prevented neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons, thus suggesting that the deleterious effects of dexamethasone might be mediated by monoamine oxidase.
 ...
PMID:Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by thrombin injection in the substantia nigra of the rat is enhanced by dexamethasone: role of monoamine oxidase enzyme. 1996 22


1 2 Next >>